mescid

Mescid is a term used in several languages to refer to a mosque, the place of worship for Muslims. The word derives from the Arabic masjid, meaning “place of prostration.” In Turkish, mescid or mescit traditionally denotes a small prayer space or satellite mosque, while larger congregational mosques are typically called cami. The Turkish form Mescid-i Aksa names the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, and Mescid-i Haram refers to the Grand Mosque (Masjid al-Haram) in Mecca.

In Persian and Azerbaijani, məscid / mescid is the standard word for a mosque. In Hindustani languages, masjid is common, with mesjid appearing as an older or formal variant. In Indonesian and Malay, mesjid or masjid is used, although masjid is the more common modern spelling in Indonesia and Malaysia.

The concept covers a range of structures, from simple neighborhood prayer rooms to large, architecturally notable mosques. Features vary by region and period, but most mescid include a prayer hall oriented toward the qibla and are designed to accommodate communal Muslim prayer, with the possibility of domes, minarets, courtyards, or attached facilities in larger complexes. The term is also used in compound names and historical texts to refer to notable mosques across the Muslim world.