Islamic Prayer Rug

Islamic Prayer Rug

Prayer Rugs

Islamic prayer rugs are small oriental carpets used by Muslims when performing "salah" or the five daily prayers. Prayer rugs have become a traditional way for many Muslims to ensure cleanliness in their place of prayer. When prayer time comes, Muslims lay the mat on the floor pointing toward the direction of Mecca, Saudi Arabia where they then bow, kneel and prostrate on the ground while reciting prayers before God. 

Check out the High Library for more information. 

Check out sacred texts that relate to the artifact.

Sources:
Christiane J. Gruber, "The Islamic Manuscript Tradition: Ten Centuries of Book Arts in Indiana University Collections," Bloomington: Indiana University Press eBook Collection (2010): accessed May 29, 2018, EBSCOhost

Elizabethtown College (Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, USA)

Dr. William V. Puffenberger

Elizabethtown College retains all intellectual property rights to this image including, but not limited to, digital rights and any derivative works. For permission for reproduction, please contact the College’s Administrative Assistant for Humanities.

A red prayer rug decorated with illustrations of Mecca and Medina.

37 in X 19.75 in (94 cm X 50.2 cm)

Arabic

Physical Object

Puffenberger #169

Lebanon