Casbah 

What does Casbah mean? Meaning: castle or fortress in Maghreb cities, by extension the historic heart of the city.  

Khanqah 

What does Khanqah mean? Meaning: A building designed as a place of spiritual retreat, particularly for pilgrims or Sufis. Khanqahs are often attached to the shrine of a Sufi saint, a…

Pishtak 

What does Pishtak mean? Meaning: element of Islamic architecture of Persian origin. It is an arched portal that projects from the façade on which it is located.  

Coufique 

What does Coufique mean? Meaning: one of the writing styles of the Arabic language.  

Khatam kari 

What does Khatam kari mean? Meaning: term of Iranian origin used to designate fine marquetry work, the earliest examples of which date back to the Safavid period.  

Panjara 

What does Panjara mean? Meaning: term used in Central Asia to designate something similar to a moucharabieh.  

Damasquinage 

What does Damasquinage mean? Meaning: an artistic technique that consists in setting a copper, gold or silver wire on a metal surface, usually iron or steel, to create a decorative motif.…

Koch 

What does Koch mean? Meaning: term used in Uzbekistan to designate two buildings facing each other (see, for example, madrasa Koch in Bukhara).  

Ribat 

What does Ribat mean? Meaning: Fortified defensive constructions, generally installed on frontiers. They also serve as lodgings for travelers and as places for meditation.  

Dhal 

What does Dhal mean? Meaning: the "dhal" shield refers to an Indian shield, sometimes also used in Persia, made of leather and sometimes steel. It is therefore found, in particular, in…