Touring the most beautiful mosques in the world provides a unique glimpse into the architectural, cultural and religious history of Islam. The 5 world’s greatest mosques with amazing histories and architecture:
1. Masjid al-Haram (The Sacred Mosque)
Location: Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Overview:
The world’s largest mosque is Masjid al-Haram, and it encircles Islam’s most sacred structure, the Kaaba. It has a profound significance for more than a billion Muslims across the world and it is the centre of the Hajj pilgrimage.
Key Features:
- The Kaaba: A round building wrapped in a black silk sheet known as the Kiswah. Every Muslim visits the Kaaba in the course of every day’s prayer, regardless of their location.
- The Black Stone: Set in one side of the Kaaba, it is supposedly the remains of Adam and Eve.
- Majestic Minarets and Domes: The mosque has 89 domes and minarets that display elaborate Islamic designs.
- Maximum size: Can hold 2 million pilgrims during the peak season.
Historical Significance:
The Masjid al-Haram has been renovated several times since it was originally built by Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his son Ismail. It is still an Islamic sign of solidarity and devotion.
Visiting Tips:
- Pilgrimage Seasons: You can come here during Hajj or Ramadan for a spiritual experience but be prepared for big crowds.
- Dress Code: Dress is required to be modest, with guidelines in place for men and women to show respect and modesty.
2. Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (The Prophet’s Mosque)
Location: Medina, Saudi Arabia
Overview:
The second sacred mosque in Islam is Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, constructed by the Prophet Muhammad. It is a major pilgrimage point during Hajj and Umrah.
Key Features:
- The Green Dome: Indicates the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad, as well as the two first caliphs, Abu Bakr and Umar.
- Huge Courtyards: Designed to hold millions of devotees, with meticulously landscaped gardens and fountains.
- Architectural Praise: Beautiful marble floors, mosaics, large prayer halls.
Historical Significance:
Once the Prophet Muhammad had left Mecca, he founded the mosque, which served as the seat of Islamic instruction and rule. It was enlarged multiple times to serve increasing numbers of pilgrims.
Visiting Tips:
- Most Popular Time To Visit: Early in the morning or in the late afternoon to be away from the midday sun and crowds.
- Respectful Behavior: Be well-behaved, particularly when surrounding the Prophet’s tomb, as this is a place of religious importance.
3. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Overview:
This is the world’s most beautiful mosque. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which was designed by contemporary and traditional architects, is an icon of modern Islamic architecture.
Key Features:
- 22 Domes: Symbolism of the 22 Quranic chapters.
- Floating Carpet: The world’s largest hand-knotted carpet, measuring over 5,000 square meters.
- Chandeliers and Lighting: Home to the world’s largest chandeliers and a complex light system that illuminates the mosque at night.
- Minarets: Four massive minarets, all 107 meters high, represent the solidarity of the Islamic world.
Architectural Highlights:
- White Marble Surround: Sourced from Italy which renders the mosque clean and radiant.
- Reflective Pools: Enhance the beauty of the mosque and make the place peaceful.
Visiting Tips:
- Dress code: There are modest dress codes and the abayas and headscarves are available for those who need them.
- Guided Tours: To give you a sense of the mosque’s architecture and cultural value.
4. Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque)
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Overview:
The Blue Mosque (named so as to match the blue Iznik tiles that adorn the interior) of Sultan Ahmed Mosque is a rare historical treasure that has Islamic and Byzantine architectural elements. This mosque is ranked among the top 10 mosques worldwide.
Key Features:
- Six Minarets: It is one of the rare mosques and represents its majesty.
- Interior Tiles: More than 20,000 hand-painted blue tiles in delicate floral and geometric designs.
- Domes and Semi-Domes: There are eight semi-domes on either side of the main dome, offering an expansive and harmonious interior.
- Courtyard and Fountain: A huge courtyard and central fountain adds to the mosque’s serene vibe
Historical Significance:
Built for Sultan Ahmed I in the early 17th century, the mosque would return Ottoman authority and rival the Hagia Sophia in scale. It’s still a bustling church and a big tourist destination.
Visiting Tips:
- Prayer Hours: Visitors should be prepared to wait during prayer hours while Muslims use the mosque.
- Photography: Open most of the time but do keep your distance from the worship grounds and prayer spots.
5. Faisal Mosque
Location: Islamabad, Pakistan
Overview:
Faisal Mosque is one of the most popular mosques in Pakistan that is designed in a modern style without abandoning the traditional mosque style.
Key Features:
- Tent Architecture: The mosque was fashioned in the shape of an eight-sided Bedouin tent by Turkish architect Vedat Dalokay.
- Minarets: Four slender minarets tower gracefully, giving the mosque a modern vibe.
- Big Prayer Hall: One of the largest prayer halls in the world that can house more than 100,000 devotees.
- Lovely Gardens: Adjacent to the mosque and provides a quiet place to pray.
Architectural Highlights:
- Contemporary Design: Includes simple shapes and lines, that represent the fusion of tradition and contemporary.
- Interior Design: Complex calligraphy and chandeliers enhance the beauty of the mosque.
Historical Significance:
Completed in 1986, the Faisal Mosque was presented to Pakistan by Saudi King Faisal. It has since become a national pride icon and a centre of Islamic learning and worship.
Visiting Tips:
- No Reservations Needed: Open to all visitors and promotes interfaith harmony.
- When to Visit: It is best to visit early in the morning and in the late afternoons as it gets cool and nobody comes.
Additional Notable Mosques to Consider:
While the above-mentioned five mosques are among the most famous in the world, here are a few other fantastic mosques you should visit:
- Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, Morocco: It has a high minaret and is located on a beautiful beach.
- Great Mosque of Córdoba in Spain: A classical fusion of Islamic and Christian architecture.
- Great Mosque of Xi’an, China: One of the most famous and oldest mosques in East Asia, combining Chinese and Islamic elements.
The visit to these mosques is not just an opportunity to marvel at the architectural beauty but also to grasp the cultural and religious weight that they hold. For anyone who is a history buff, architecture enthusiast or a spiritual devotee, the mosques provide cultural and geographically transcendent experiences.
