Cotbat

Cotbat is the discourse with which the imaums among the Saracens were wont to commence the public prayers on Friday. It consisted of expressions of praise to God and to Mohammed, and was first introduced by the Prophet. In ancient times the caliph, dressed in white, used to pronounce the cotbat in person, a ceremony which was considered a mark of sovereignty. It generally concluded with a prayer for the caliph.