The Minaret reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004
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Minaret

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Mosque, with minarets. Aswan, EgyptEnlarge

Mosque, with minarets. Aswan, Egypt

A minaret in Samarkand, UzbekistanEnlarge

A minaret in Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Minarets are distinctive architectural features of Islamic mosques. They are generally tall, graceful spires, with onion shaped crowns, usually either free standing or much taller than any surrounding support structure.

The main function of the minaret is to provide a vantage point from which the muezzin can sing out the adhan, calling the faithful to prayer.

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