Mourner’s bench

A bench or seat at the front of the church or room, set apart for mourners or penitent sinners seeking salvation. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/mourners--bench

Near East

A transcontinental region around the East Mediterranean encompassing parts of West Asia, the Balkans and North Africa, including the historical Fertile Crescent, the Levant, Anatolia, East Thrace and Egypt. https://en.wikipedia.org/