alminar

Alminar is a term that can refer to the minaret of a mosque, or, in some contexts, to proper nouns derived from the Arabic word for beacon. In Arabic, the word for minaret is منارة (manārah), sometimes rendered in Latin scripts as al-minār, al-minar, or mināra; the form alminar appears in various languages as a transliteration or adaptation. In architectural usage, alminar denotes the tower from which the call to prayer is announced and which serves as a visual landmark in Islamic urban design.

Minarets typically rise adjacent to mosques, with a tall slender shaft, balconies, and decorative elements reflecting regional styles. The function has historically been to project the call to prayer over the surrounding area, though some modern minarets may primarily serve symbolic or aesthetic purposes. The design and height vary widely by region, reflecting local architectural traditions, materials, and climate.

Geographically, the concept of an alminar exists across the Islamic world, including the Middle East, North Africa, the Iberian Peninsula during and after medieval Islamic rule, South Asia, and parts of Southeast Asia. The term also appears in toponyms and cultural references in countries with historical or contemporary Arabic influence.

See also: Minaret, Mosque, Islamic architecture, Beacon.