Muslim Spaces of Worship and Gathering

Kinshasa Jamatkhana interior.
© the.ismaili.
The Jamatkhana
The term Jamatkhana is derived from the
Arabic word jama‘a, gathering, and the
Persian word khana, referring to a house
or place, which together can be translated
as ‘a place of congregation’ or ‘assembly
house’. The term has its origins in the Indian
subcontinent, and has historically been used
to refer to the covered outdoor spaces used
by Sufis of the Chishti tariqa for fraternal
discussions, and during the sessions of
teaching and counsel conducted by their pir
or shaykh. In this context, the Jamatkhana
is most often found within important tomb
complexes such as that of Salim Chishti in
Fatehpur Sikri and Mu‘inuddin Chishti in
Ajmer. Spaces designated as Jamatkhanas
can also be seen in Mughal complexes, such
as that of the Taj Mahal in Agra.
The term is also used by other communities
of the subcontinent. Amongst the Alevi
and Dawoodi Bohra communities of South
Asia, the term refers to the space where
community members gather for social
occasions, including communal meals. The
Nizari Ismaili communities throughout the
world also refer to their congregational
spaces as Jamatkhanas which have been
designated for the community’s religious
and social practices
Images presented in the following pages
are of Jamatkhanas belonging to the global
Shi‘a Imami Isma‘ili Muslim community.
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