mihrab

The mihrab is an architectural niche that indicates the direction of Mecca in a mosque.

The mihrab is a key feature of Islamic religious architecture. It is set into the qibla wall, the wall oriented toward Mecca, and marks the direction Muslims face during prayer.

Typically semi-circular or recessed in form, the mihrab is not designed to accommodate a person permanently but serves as a symbolic and visual marker. In some traditions, the imam may stand near the mihrab to lead the prayer.

Mihrabs are often richly decorated with mosaics, carved stucco, marble panels, or intricately worked wood, sometimes bearing Quranic inscriptions. Thus, the mihrab is both a functional indicator and a spiritual focal point within the mosque.

The use of the mihrab spread from the 8th century onwards and became a defining feature of Islamic architecture, present in mosques of all sizes across the Islamic world.