Mosque around the World
A mosque is a place of worship for followers of Islam. Muslims perform daily. Mosques also serve as community centers for Muslims, hosting events and gatherings such as weddings, funerals, and other celebrations.
Mosques are not only important religious and cultural centers for Muslims, but they also have significant tourism value. Tourists who visit mosques are often fascinated by their unique architecture, intricate details, and historical significance.
Following are the 10 most beautiful mosques in the world:
The Blue Mosque, Turkey
The Blue Mosque is a magnificent symbol of Istanbul’s rich cultural heritage, and its breathtaking beauty and historical significance have made it one of Turkey’s most popular tourist attractions and an iconic landmark of the city.
The Blue Mosque is a historic mosque located in Istanbul, Turkey. It was commissioned by the Ottoman Sultan Ahmed I in the early 17th century and is named after him. It is famous for its stunning architecture, intricate decorations, and its historical significance.
The mosque’s design is an impressive blend of Ottoman and Byzantine architectural styles, making it a unique masterpiece. It features six minarets and a large central dome surrounded by smaller domes, creating an awe-inspiring interior space.
The Blue Mosque is also known for its interior decorations made of blue tiles, which cover the walls and the domes. The tiles are decorated with intricate patterns, calligraphy, and floral designs, making the mosque a true work of art.
The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Muscat
The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is a beautiful and impressive mosque located in Muscat, the capital city of Oman. The mosque was built by Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said in 2001 and is named after him. The mosque is one of the largest in the world and can accommodate up to 20,000 worshippers at a time.
It features an impressive main prayer hall with a massive Swarovski crystal chandelier that measures 14 meters in diameter and weighs 8.5 tones. The mosque also boasts a 21-tonne hand-woven carpet, which is one of the largest in the world, and took around 600 women over four years to weave.
The mosque’s courtyard is also beautiful and features landscaped gardens, water features, and marble walkways.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dabi
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque it is one of the largest mosques in the world, and it is named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder and first president of the UAE.
The mosque’s exterior is made of white marble and features several minarets that stand tall above the main prayer hall. The central dome of the mosque is one of the largest in the world and measures 85 meters in height and 32.8 meters in diameter.
The mosque’s main prayer hall can accommodate up to 7,000 worshippers at a time and features intricate details such as hand-knotted carpets and beautiful calligraphy. The mosque also houses several Islamic art collections, including manuscripts, ceramics, and metalwork.
The Qolşärif Mosque
The Qolşärif Mosque is a historic mosque located in Kazan, the capital city of the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia. The mosque was reconstructed in 1996-2005 and is one of the most significant landmarks in Kazan.
The central dome of the mosque measures 28 meters in diameter and is surrounded by six smaller domes. The minarets of the mosque stand at 57 meters tall and are adorned with intricate geometric patterns.
Inside, the mosque’s main prayer hall can accommodate up to 1,500 worshippers at a time and features beautiful Islamic calligraphy and artwork. The mosque also houses a museum that displays artifacts related to the history and culture of the Tatar people.
The Faisal Mosque, Pakistan
The Faisal Mosque is a magnificent mosque located in Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan. The mosque was completed in 1986 and is named after King Faisal bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia.
The mosque has a large prayer hall that can accommodate up to 100,000 worshippers at a time and is covered by a beautiful white marble dome that is one of the largest in the world. The mosque’s four minarets stand tall at 88 meters and are adorned with intricate geometric patterns and calligraphy.
The mosque’s walls and ceilings are adorned with beautiful Islamic calligraphy and artwork, and the central chandelier of the mosque is one of the largest in the world.
The Al-Masjid Al-Haram, Mecca
The Al-Masjid al-Haram, also known the Haram Mosque is a historic mosque located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is the largest mosque in the world and is considered the holiest site in Islam.
The mosque features a large central dome that is surrounded by smaller domes and minarets that stand tall above the mosque’s walls. The mosque’s main prayer hall can accommodate up to 900,000 worshippers at a time and is covered by a beautiful green carpet that measures over 4,300 square meters.
The mosque’s exterior is equally impressive, with its ornate white marble walls and intricate geometric patterns and calligraphy.
The Jameh Mosque, Yazd
The Jameh Mosque of Yazd is a historic mosque located in the city of Yazd, in central Iran. The mosque is considered one of the oldest and most significant mosques in Iran.
The mosque features a large central courtyard that is surrounded by a series of Iwans, or vaulted halls, that lead to different parts of the mosque. The mosque’s main prayer hall is covered by a beautiful wooden dome that is adorned with intricate geometric patterns and calligraphy.
The mosque’s exterior is equally impressive, with its ornate blue tile work and minarets that stand tall above the mosque’s walls. The mosque also features several entrances, including the Qibla entrance, which faces towards Mecca and is the main entrance for worshippers.
The Putra Mosque, Putrajaya
The Putra Mosque is a modern mosque located in the city of Putrajaya. The mosque was completed in 1999 and is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Putrajaya.
This mosque can accommodate up to 15,000 worshippers at a time. The mosque’s main prayer hall features a beautiful pink dome that is 50 meters in diameter and is supported by several columns. The mosque’s minaret towers stand tall at 116 meters and are adorned with intricate geometric patterns and calligraphy.
The mosque’s walls and ceilings are adorned with beautiful Islamic calligraphy and artwork, and the central chandelier of the mosque is one of the largest in the world.
Hagia Sophia Mosque, Turkey
Hagia Sophia is a historic mosque and museum located in Istanbul, Turkey. The mosque’s architecture is a blend of Byzantine and Ottoman styles with its massive dome that dominates the skyline of Istanbul.
The interior of the mosque is equally impressive, with its spacious prayer hall that can accommodate up to 10,000 worshippers at a time. The walls and ceilings of the mosque are adorned with beautiful Islamic calligraphy and artwork, as well as Byzantine mosaics that depict scenes from the life of Jesus and other Christian figures.
Hagia Sophia is open to visitors of all faiths, although during times of prayer, the mosque is reserved for Muslim worshippers.
Jama Masjid, Delhi
Jama Masjid is one of the most famous and important mosques in India, located in the heart of Old Delhi. It was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the mid-17th century, and it is one of the largest mosques in India.
The mosque’s architecture is a blend of Islamic, Mughal, and Indian styles, featuring red sandstone and marble, intricate carvings and calligraphy, and three massive domes. The courtyard can accommodate up to 25,000 people, and the mosque’s prayer hall can hold up to 10,000 worshippers at a time. It is also known for its lively bazaars and street food, which attract both locals and tourists.
Today, Jama Masjid remains an important symbol of India’s rich cultural and religious heritage, and it continues to be a popular destination for visitors from around the world.
