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Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology & the Ancient World
Brown University
Box 1837 / 60 George Street
Providence, RI 02912
Telephone: (401) 863-3188
Fax: (401) 863-9423
[email protected]
Posted at Mar 07/2011 12:00AM:
Aniqa:
The section of the Mosque encompassing the minbar, mihrab and the Imam's door that is closed off with a latticed grill- the part of the Mosque that is reserved for the sovereign. Traditionally, it is said that Uthman, Muawiyah and Marwan all used the maqsura for security purposes- the prayer could be led without fear of assassination. However, there is also evidence suggesting that the real reason was not security, but rather to provide a place in which distinguished people or people intimate with the sovereign could meet with him. Thus it was nearly equivalent to the part of the palace which was separated by a curtain and reserved for the sultan's most prized guests.