Majlis
The sitting room or gathering where Arab hosts receive guests.
Also: diwaniya, diwan
A majlis is a place of sitting, the room in an Arab home or a separate building where the host receives visitors, and also the gathering that takes place there. Cushions line the walls, coffee and dates are served, and the conversation may cover news, business, poetry and disputes. In the Gulf, a ruler's majlis is open to citizens who wish to present a petition, a tradition that reflects the Bedouin values of access and hospitality. In Kuwait it is called a diwaniya, and men gather there in the evening. Women have their own majlis, which are important social spaces in many communities.
Region: Middle East