The main architectural components of a mosque are practical in purpose and provide both continuity and a sense of tradition among Muslims worldwide. There is a great deal of variation among mosques around the world.

Mosque, any house or open area of prayer in Islam, from the Arabic word masjid meaning ‘a place of prostration.’ The building is largely an open space that typically includes certain features such as a niche for the leader of prayer, an elevated spot for preaching, and a minaret for the call to prayer.

The style, layout, and decoration of a mosque can tell us a lot about Islam in general, but also about the period and region in which the mosque was constructed. The home of the Prophet Muhammad is considered the first mosque.

There are two main styles of mosque architecture: 1) hypostyle, in which the roof is supported on pillars: and 2) domical, where the walls are surrounded by a dome. There are few hypostyle mosques and they tend to be old or very basic.