Emeka Nweze
Grand Mosques have existed as places of worship for Muslims as well as a place for visiting tourists. These awe inspiring religious structures located around the world have become modern tourist attractions because their stunning architecture and breath taking designs.
Below is a list of ten of the most beautiful mosques in the world.
1. Al Haram Mosque, Mecca
The Sacred Mosque or the Great Mosque is the sight of pilgrimage for the Hajj, which every Muslim must do at least once in their lives, if able. The Great Mosque surrounds the Kaaba in the city of Mecca, and includes other important significant sites, including the Black Stone, the Zamzam well, Maqam Ibrahim, and the hills, Safa and Marwa.
The Great Mosque is located in front of the Abraj Al Bait, the tallest clock tower in the world. It is also the largest and one of the oldest mosques in the world and has undergone major renovations and expansions through the years
2. Al-Masjid an-Nabawī Mosque, Medina
Al-Masjid an-Nabawī, translated to mean the Prophets Mosque was established and originally built by Prophet Muhammad, and situated in the holy city of Medina, in the Hejaz region of Saudi Arabia.
Al-Masjid an-Nabawī was the third mosque built in the history of Islam, and is the second holiest site, after Mecca in Islam. The mosque is now also one of the largest mosques in the world, and is always open, regardless of date and time.
3. Mosque of Muhammad Ali, Cairo
The Great Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha is a great mosque situated in the Citadel of Cairo, Egypt, and commissioned by Muhammad Ali Pasha between 1830 and 1848.
The mosque, along with the citadel, is one of the landmarks and tourist attractions of Cairo and is one of the first features to be seen when approaching the city any direction.
4. The Dome of The Rock, Jerusalem
The Dome of the Rock is an Islamic shrine located on the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem. The dome was initially completed in 691-92 CE, and then destroyed during the Roman Siege of Jerusalem in, and eventually rebuilt in 1022-23.
The Dome of the Rock is in its core one of the oldest extant works of Islamic Architecture
5. Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, Brunei
Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, is an Islamic mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. It is often considered as one of the most beautiful mosques in the Asia Pacific. It is a place of worship for the Muslim community, a major historical site, and a famous tourist attraction of Brunei.
The mosque serves as a symbol of the Islamic faith in Brunei and dominates the skyline of Bandar Seri Begawan . The building was completed in 1958 and is an example of modern Islamic Architecture
6. Badshahi Mosque, Lahore
The Badshahi Mosque or Imperial Mosque, is located west of Lahore Forte, along the outskirts of the Wallad City of Lahore, Pakistan, and is widely considered to be one of Lahore’s most iconic landmarks.
The Badshahi Mosque, is an important example of Munghal Architecture, with an exterior that is decorated with carved red sandstone with marble inlay. It remains the largest and most recent of the grand imperial mosques of the Mughal-era, and is the second largest mosque in Pakistan.
7. Qol Sharif Mosque, Kazan
The impressive mosque was finally inaugurated in 2005 when Kazan celebrated its millennium. The mosque stands as a prominent symbol of the city, rightly recognised as one of Kazan’s most worthy sights as well as Europe’s largest mosque.
The Qol Sharif largely functions as a museum although thousands of Muslims do gather here to pray on major religious holidays.
8. Crystal Mosque, Terengganu
The Crystal Mosque is a grand structure made of steel, glass and crystal, and located at the Islamic Heritage Park on the island of Wan Man, in Malaysia
The mosque was constructed between 2006 and 2008, and was officially inaugurated on 8 February 2008.
The mosque also serves as a place of worship, as well as a spectacular tourist attraction.
9. Blue Mosque, Instabul
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is a historical mosque located in Istanbul, Turkey. The mosque was constructed between 1609 and 1616 during the rule of Ahmed I and today serves a popular tourist site, while still functioning as a mosque.
The interior of the mosque is adorned with hand painted blue tiles, and at night the mosque is bathed in blue as lights frame the mosque’s five main domes, six minarets and eight secondary domes.
10. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates. The Grand Mosque was constructed between 1996 and 2007, and was designed by Syrian architect Yousef Abdelky.
The mosque was built as structure that would unite the cultural diversity of the Islamic world with the historical and modern values of architecture and art.
During Eid, it may be visited by more than 41,000 people, and for two years running, it was voted the world’s second favorite landmark by travel review website company, TripAdvisor.
