Minbars

Minbars are raised lecterns in mosques from which the imam delivers sermons and leads Friday prayers. Typically placed to the right of the mihrab—the niche indicating the qibla direction—the minbar is reached by a short flight of stairs and provides an elevated place for speaking to the congregation.

Etymology and design: The term minbar comes from Arabic minbar, meaning "place of separation" or "elevated place." Early Islamic minbars emerged in the 7th century and were often simple wooden structures, sometimes trunk-like in form. Over the centuries they developed into more elaborate architectural elements made of stone, marble, or richly carved wood, adorned with inscriptions, geometric patterns, and calligraphy. In many regions, the minbar reflects local styles, such as Ottoman, Persian, Moorish, or South Asian designs.

Function: The minbar is chiefly used for delivering the khutbah (sermon) during the Friday congregational prayer and on other ceremonial occasions. In most mosques the imam delivers two khutbahs from the minbar, with the first addressing general guidance and the second concluding the sermon. The minbar is not used for the call to prayer; that is performed at the minaret.

Variations and significance: While the basic function remains the same, minbars vary widely in size and ornamentation. Some mosques feature a separate elevated dais for additional preachers or community leaders, or multiple minbars for different languages or communities. The minbar is often considered an architectural focal point in mosque interiors and may be the subject of conservation and restoration efforts as part of historic sanctuaries.

See also: Mihrab, Mosque architecture, Khutbah.