Suraus

Suraus is an anglicized plural form of surau, a term used in Malay-speaking and some Indonesian communities to denote a small mosque or prayer room. In these contexts, suraus are typically modest, purpose-built or adapted spaces used for daily prayers, religious study, and small communal gatherings. They may be found attached to homes, schools, markets, or workplaces, and serve as accessible anchors for worship outside larger city mosques.

Architecturally, suraus vary but commonly feature a simple prayer hall oriented toward Mecca, with space for ablutions nearby and often a designated area for men and women to pray. The interior is usually minimally decorated, prioritizing function over ornamentation.

In English-language usage, suraus is used as the plural form when referring to multiple such spaces. The term is most common in travel writing, cultural guides, and Southeast Asian references; in other contexts it may be replaced by “small mosque” or “prayer room” for clarity.

Beyond its religious meaning, surau is also encountered as a proper name or in fictional works, though such usage is uncommon and highly context-dependent. Etymology traces back to the Malay word surau, itself used to denote a sheltered area for prayer; its deeper linguistic origin is not universally agreed upon.