\paperw4260 \margr0\margl0 \plain \fs20 \f1 \fs24 For the Muslim the mosque is a place of prayer, assembly, and education.\par
The classical mosque, such as the Great \b \cf2 \ATXht11311 Mosque\b0 \cf0 \ATXht0 of \b \cf1 \ATXht17 Kairouan\b0 \cf0 \ATXht0 from the Aghlabid dynasty of the ninth century, has a rectangular plan, with an immense courtyard enclosed by an arcade and a cistern, sundial, and fountain for purification at
its center. From the courtyard, the faithful are able to enter the prayer hall, or \b \i \cf2 \ATXht10804 haram\b0 \i0 \cf0 \ATXht0 . This is supported by columns, and at Kairouan, many of these were salvaged from Roman monuments. Inside the hall, whose
floor is covered with mats or rugs, is located the \i minbar\i0 , the pulpit from which sermons are preached, and a niche with a cupola, the \i mihrab\i0 , which indicates the direction of \b \cf1 \ATXht53 Mecca\b0 \cf0 \ATXht0 , the \b \i \cf2 \ATXht11701 qiblah\b0 \i0 \cf0 \ATXht0 , in which all Muslims must face when praying.\par
As centuries passed, the structure of the mosque grew more complicated, with the addition of further rooms, domes, and ornaments, though the canons and elements of tradition
were retained. The \b \cf2 \ATXht11309 minaret\b0 \cf0 \ATXht0 , from which the \b \cf2 \ATXht11312 muezzin\b0 \cf0 \ATXht0 calls the faithful to prayer five times a day, can have different forms and volumes, but usually adheres to the square plan inhe
rited from the Andalusian style. An example of this is the ôMansourahö of Tlemcen, resembling the Giralda in Seville.\par
