Bab (gateway)

Bāb (باب) is an Arabic word for gateway, also found as a loanword in Persian and Ottoman Turkish. Commonly used names of several gateways built throughout the centuries in Arabic or Persianate societies start with "Bab", such as the Babs of Cairo and those of Marrakech.

The term is often used in Shi'a sects, and was also used by Siyyid `Alí Muḥammad Shírází, the founder of Bábism and one of the central figures of the Baháʼí Faith, who called himself "The Báb" in reference to the promised Twelver Mahdi or al-Qá'im. His followers were known as Bábís.

Ottoman Empire[edit]

Bab al-Futuh
Al-Bāb al-Jadīd (the New Gate), built in 1170 in the eastern wall; still remains
Bāb al-Ghūrī (the Gate of the Attacker)
Bāb al-Ḩusayniyyah (Ḩusayniyyah Gate, referring to a district)
Bāb al-Khalq (the Gate of Creation)
Bab El Khoga
Bāb al-Nasr (the Gate of Victory)
Bāb al-Qanţarah (the Gate of the Bridge)
Bāb al-Qilà (the Gate of Alkali)
Bāb al-Sharī‘ah (the Gate of Law)
Bāb al-Silsilah (the Gate of the Chain)
Bāb al-Sirr (the Gate of the Secret)
Bāb al-Tawfīq (the Gate of Success)
Bāb al-Wazīr (the Minister's Gate), opened in 1341 by the wazīr *(minister of state) Najm al-Dīn Muḩammad; still remains
Bāb Khān al-Khalīlī (Khān al-Khalīlī Gate, referring to a *district)
Bāb Sa‘ādah (Gate of Happiness)
Bāb Darb al-Laban (Milk Road Gate)
Bab Zuweila