Visiting a mosque can be a truly jaw dropping and humbling experience for both muslims and non-muslims. From the intricacies of the tile work, to the tall minarets or the unique architecture, there’s so much beauty to be seen and experienced. With over 1.5 billion muslims and almost 4 million mosques across the world, highlighted here you’ll find just a tiny sliver and a glimpse into a fascinating and rich history.
To show case the beauty of Islam and mosques from around the world, I’m sharing travellers stories from Morocco all the way to Malaysia. As-salamu alaykum (Peace be upon you)!
Beautiful Mosques in Africa
Hassan II Mosque – Casablanca, Morocco
Contributed by Clare from Travels in Peru
As you walk along the promenade to the mosque it is an amazing site to see. Rising from the sea, you can’t miss it, especially since its minaret is the tallest in the world. It is the 2nd largest mosque in Africa and the 5th largest in the world! It has the capacity for 25,000 people inside the main hall and 80,000 outside.
The Hassan II Mosque is in Casablanca Morocco. I was travelling through Morocco and while I was in Casablanca had heard it was a place I had to visit. It was finished in 1993, though it looks brand new from the outside and very impressive. All the marble, carvings and mosaics makes it a beautiful place to photograph and look at.
As a non muslim this is this is the only mosque that tourists can enter in Morocco, but only at certain times and with a guide.
The grand hall with the Italian chandeliers is stunning, with all the carvings on the pillars and the marble it is truly beautiful, it also has a retracting roof so that the worshippers can see the stars in the evening.
If you are visiting Casablanca then you must go see this stunning mosque.
Koutoubia Mosque – Marrakech, Morocco
Contributed by Rachel from Earth’s Magical Places
The Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech, is the largest Mosque in the city, and it dominates the skyline, since no other building is allowed to be built taller than its 77m high Minaret. This means the Mosque can be seen from every vantage point in the city, and it, therefore, stands over Marrakech like a proud mother.
Like all the other buildings in the city, the Koutoubia Mosque is built in a gorgeous red/rose coloured stone. This makes it a spectacular sight at sunset, as the orange glow of the sun highlights and emphasises its colour. More than this, built in the 12th Century, the Mosque is a wonderful example of Moorish architecture, with its beautifully decorated stonework and keystone arches.
Although non-Muslims are prohibited from entering, it’s still amazing to view the structure from the outside. Further, the Koutoubia Gardens (Lalla Hassna Park), based on the south side of the Mosque, provide the perfect place to relax in the heart of Marrakech. You can sit and admire Koutoubia here, amongst the scent of roses and orange trees, making the Koutoubia Mosque a must visit in my opinion.
Great Mosque of Kairouan – Kairouan, Tunisia
Contributed by Wendy from The Nomadic Vegan
Tunisia is popular as a beach resort destination, but once you get away from the touristy beaches you’ll find you have the country practically to yourself. In our three-week trip around Tunisia, my husband and I had a magical time exploring ancient Roman ruins and traditional medinas, all virtually untouched by tourism.
One of the highlights for us was Kairouan, a maze of tiny winding alleyways that all seem to lead eventually to the Great Mosque. The mosque was first built in the 7th century, making it the oldest mosque in Africa, and was given its present shape and appearance by the Aghlabids in the 9th century.
It is the holiest mosque in North Africa and is a place of pilgrimage for many Muslims in the region. Kairouan is sometimes cited as the fourth holiest city in Islam after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem, and it is said that seven pilgrimages to Kairouan are the equivalent of one pilgrimage to Mecca.
Take the time to wander around the large courtyard, peek into the prayer hall, and enjoy the peace and serenity of this historic place of worship.
At the nearby El Brija restaurant, you can enjoy couscous and other North African dishes while admiring the views of the mosque, the medina and the old city wall.
Al-Hakim Mosque – Cairo, Egypt
Contributed by Patrick from German Backpacker
My favorite mosque is the Al-Hakim mosque in Cairo located in the Muslim Quarter of the city. Cairo is a hectic and chaotic place and sightseeing can easily get tiring and exhausting. Luckily, the Al-Hakim mosque is a peaceful and quiet oasis in the busy and loud capital.
While there are many big and popular mosques in Cairo full of locals praying and tourists visiting, this mosque is one of the hidden gems, since not many people know about it. Therefore, I had the mosque almost entirely to myself besides some locals who came here to pray, rest or read.
The mosque’s architecture is beautiful, with its big open square and the marble floor. I took the time to just sit down for half an hour, watched the locals and enjoyed the atmosphere, before heading out again into the bustling markets and souks of Cairo’s Muslim Quarter!
Great Mosque of Djenné – Mali
Contributed by Thea from Zen Travellers
The great mud mosque of Djenné, Mali is an understated wonder that rises out of the arid Sahel and dominates its surroundings like an otherworldly sand castle. Located in one of West Africa’s most historic and picturesque towns, the mosque is the world’s largest mud structure and one that draws visitors from all over the world. It is best viewed during sunset on a neighboring rooftop which can be negotiated in town.
It is especially spectacular when visiting on market day when you can view the colourful goings on of the marketplace below. Unfortunately, the security situation in Mali makes it not advisable to travel to right now, but I hope that in the future that many other lucky travellers can be amazed by this magnificent sight.
Beautiful Mosques in Asia
Masjid Kapitan Keling – Penang, Malaysia
Contributed by Marco Ferrarese of Penang-Insider
The Masjid Kapitan Keling in central George Town is a special mosque, and not only because of its magnificent black domes, sleek architectural style, and white walls. It’s mainly because it was built in the 19th century by Indian Muslim traders in the multi-ethnic port of Penang. Its significance within the UNESCO-inscribed old city of George Town is that this was the first Islamic institution built in the city’s Tamil neighbourhood. “Keling”, in fact, was a Malay term to indicate persons of Indian origin, and even if it is today considered a racist slur, at the time it wasn’t. Another particularity of the Masjid Kapitan Keling is that the road it stands upon is nicknamed the “Street of Harmony”, because, beside this mosque, there are one Hindu shrine and the famous Chinese Temple dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy.
Masjid Kapitan Keling is certainly among the best things to see and do in Penang for first-time visitors: you can visit the mosque outside of praying times, when volunteers will be happy to show you around and answer your questions. Penang is very hot, but don’t worry, for if you will arrive without proper long clothes, the volunteers will be offering you a tunic to cover up and be allowed inside the Masjid’s grounds. Please don’t get impatient if some may even go a bit above and beyond their duty, trying to convince you to convert to Islam.
Omar Ali Saiffuddien Mosque – Brunei
Contributed by Matilda from the Travel Sisters
The Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei is one of the most beautiful mosques in the world. Conveniently located in the center of Brunei’s capital of Bandar Seri Begawan, you can’t miss it as its large gold dome dominates the city skyline. Completed in 1958, the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque is named after the 28th Sultan of Brunei and it is one of the most popular and photographed tourist attractions in Brunei. The mosque is an active place of worship so non-Muslims cannot enter the inside of the mosque during prayers and are restricted to limited visiting hours.
While beautiful and ornate on the inside, the mosque is even more spectacular and impressive from the outside. Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque is unique in that it is surrounded by an artificial lagoon which makes the mosque look like it is floating on water and acts as a reflecting pool. The mosque also has a bridge that crosses the lagoon and a boat which is a replica of a 16th-century royal barge. The outside of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque was so photogenic that I made two visits during my brief visit in Brunei – once during the morning at sunrise and at night when the mosque is illuminated.
Melaka Straits Mosque – Malaysia
Contributed by Jub from Tiki Touring Kiwi
I was wandering around Melaka with a couple of friends who I managed to walk out to the little island south of the main town, Melaka. The reason I wanted to go was to see the Melaka Straits Mosque was because it’s built over the water. When we arrived, we didn’t click that it was a Friday afternoon and prayers were just finishing.
The usually quiet island was awash with men flooding out of the mosque, some straight back to their jobs, others stopping by the pop-up markets to grab a bite to eat. We decided to wait until the mass of people cleared a bit before getting up close and when we did it lived up to my expectations. The tide was low, so there was a decent gap between the floor of the mosque and the water level which makes you think just how good the engineers are. The few people who were left around the mosque were super friendly and let us know we could go in, so we did take a quick peek inside but still felt awkward with people around doing their thing. We went to the market stall just south of the mosque and sat eating pau and admiring the mosque, and it’s clean white outter contrasting against the sea before leaving. This is still one of my favourite mosques ever for its pure beauty, and I’ve seen quite a few now!
Jama Masjid – Delhi, India
Contributed by James Ian from Travel Collecting
I had read that the Jama Masjid mosque is not only one of the largest mosques in India, but it is also one of the most beautiful, and I had seen photos that backed this up. So, when we visited Delhi, it was high on my list. It’s located in the middle of the chaos of Old Delhi but taking a tuk tuk got us straight there. The mosque lived up to the hype.
There are three large domes and two tall minarets at each end. In front is an enormous courtyard that can hold 25,000 people (though they would be very packed in). The design of red sandstone and white marble make the mosque striking. You can climb one of the minarets, which gives you a birds’ eye view of the mosque and the crowded streets of the Old Delhi markets all round, as well as close up views of the domes. This was my favorite thing about the visit. It was raining the day I visited, and there were few people around, the people we met were warm and friendly. We didn’t enter inside the mosque building itself, since we are not Muslim, but we were welcome to walk around the enormous courtyard and climb the minaret. It was one of the highlights of my trip to Delhi.
Ubudiah Mosque – Kuala Kangsar, Malaysia
Contributed by Maire from Temples and Treehouses
I visited Kuala Kangsar specifically to see the Ubudiah mosque. I’d seen pictures of the mosque’s pretty white and gold spires and wanted to see it in real life. I wasn’t disappointed! Its dramatic golden dome against a bright blue sky was a genuinely impressive sight. The mosque is a lot more sleek and minimalist inside, apart from the most gigantic crystal chandelier I’ve ever seen.
The Ubudiah mosque is famous for being one of the most beautiful in Malaysia, and it’s a popular attraction for local tourists. When I visited, Ramadan had just ended and there was a very festive and welcoming vibe, with food stalls outside. There’s a legend that while the mosque was being built in the early 1900s, construction needed to be delayed because two fighting elephants damaged the Italian marble.
Kuala Kangsar is a little off the beaten track, but it’s in very easy reach of Ipoh, Perak, on the train (literally a 30-minute journey) and if you have time to spare I think it’s well worth visiting for a half-day trip. It’s also around a 4-hour journey from Penang by ferry and train.
Faisal Mosque – Islamabad, Pakistan
Contributed by Marco Ferrarese of monkeyrockworld.com
2019 may as well be the year that Pakistan opens up to the world: with a new visa scheme to take effect soon, allowing 50 countries to travel visa-free and another 200 to apply for e-visa, the once-shunned South Asian nation is bound to enter the world’s limelight.
A great place to start is capital city Islamabad, the starting point for a tour of the Karakoram Highway in Gilgit-Baltistan, and whose prominent feature is the Faisal mosque. Located at the foothills of the Margalla hills (the westernmost foothills of the Himalayas) this is a very innovative mosque as it is shaped as a nomadic Bedouin tent, with four sleek, 79-mt tall minarets at its corners. It bears the name of the Saudi King Faisal, who donated $120 million to start building it in 1976. It is the largest mosque in Pakistan, and it was the world’s biggest until 1993. Given Faisal Mosque’s beautiful natural surroundings, the best time to come is at sunset, when it lights up against a backdrop of mountains, and most often under a pink sky at dusk. It’s a serene place where curious locals will want to talk to you, convincing all visitors that what people say about Pakistan’s terrorism is a far cry from the truth.
Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque – Kuala Lumpur, Malysia
Contributed by Zory from This life of Travel
Recently we had the chance to visit Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque in Kuala Lumpur. The location of this particular mosque is outside the most frequented tourist routes so expect to have the whole building to yourself.
The mosque provides appropriate clothing for both men and women visitors. Your shoes are safely stored in a personal locker. Upon arrival you are paired with a local volunteer guide who will show you around and tell you everything there is to know about Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque and it’s traditions. Questions are encouraged as all of the volunteers are there to expand on visitors knowledge and break down misconceptions about Islam. The experience is very personal and educational and leaves you with a smile on your face.
After the tour you can walk around on your own. I highly recommend you take the time to marvel the majesty of Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque’s architecture. The building exhibits impeccable symmetry and rich ornamentation. The overall muted colors are enhanced with bright pops of turquoise blue.
Sultan Mosque – Singapore
Contributed by Sue from Travel for Life Now
I have been to many mosques in Southeast Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and North America. The Sultan Mosque in Singapore is one of the most beautiful mosques that I have seen. Emblematic of Singapore’s multi-cultural history, it has served as the center of the Muslim community in Singapore for nearly 200 years. In the past, Muslims completing the Hajj to Mecca went to the Sultan Mosque as part of their pilgrimage.
The original Sultan Mosque was completed in 1832 by the first Sultan of Singapore, Sultan Hussein Shah. By the 1930s, the mosque needed extensive repairs and was rebuilt. Influenced by Islamic, Indian and European design, the instead is interesting and beautiful. The Mosque also contains the mausoleum where some of the Sultan’s descendent are buried. It can hold 5,000 worshippers.
My favorite feature of the Mosque is the glass bottles that are embedded in the base of the domes. These bottles were donated by poor Muslims, giving them a way to be part of the construction of the Mosque.
The streets next to the Mosque contain many middle eastern restaurants—Lebanese, Turkish and other cuisines. A few blocks away is Kampong Glam and Arab Street. This area has had a resurgence in the past number of years with street art and trendy shops. It is worth walking the area after visiting the Mosque.
For more on Singapore’s multiculturalism, see this post on a Hindu Festival in Singapore.
Beautiful Mosques in Europe
Great Mosque of Córdoba – Córdoba, Spain
Contributed by Jamie from Crashed Culture
I had the opportunity to visit the Great Mosque of Córdoba, also known as the Mezquita. This isn’t your average mosque – first it was a Visigoth church, then today’s Muslim mosque was built on top, and now, since the Spanish Inquisition went through Spain, it’s more known as a mosque-cathedral than anything else.
Not only is the evolution of the building itself unique to anything in the world, but so is the architecture. It’s been built on and expanded a few times throughout the centuries, and walking around the building, you can see the combination of random styles of architecture all pushed together into one giant cathedral the size of four football fields!
I decided to visit when I lived in Madrid and learned about the history of the Spanish Moors and the Golden Age of Islam. I felt like I needed to see all this history for myself, and I’m so glad I did. It was an overwhelming experience – so much history and so many worldviews being expressed in one building, both from different periods of history and different religious beliefs.
It’s so fascinating to learn about the history of these people who ruled the country for centuries and brought so much innovation to the world but have just been erased from the world. A trip to the Mezquita is a great way to see what happened centuries ago that shaped how we see the world today.
Sultan Ahmed Mosque – Istanbul, Turkey
Contributed by Georgie from Journey with Georgie
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque (also known as the Blue Mosque) in Turkey is one of the most famous – and most beautiful – mosques in the world. Even though I’d seen it in countless photographs and videos, it was still awe-inspiring to see it in person. I was almost lost for words.
The mosque was built between 1609 and 1616, and is one of the most iconic sights in Istanbul. It has an almost magical quality about it at all times, but it’s particularly beautiful at dusk and at night, when lights highlight its blue colour.
The Blue Mosque is one of the few mosques in Turkey that is open to non-Muslim visitors. The only restrictions are that you need to dress modestly (covered arms and legs, including a headscarf for women – if you fail the code, you’ll be given some rather unflattering clothes to borrow), and you are not permitted to enter during prayer times.
The best time to visit is usually between the dawn and midday prayer, so aiming to arrive around 10 am or so is a good idea. The only day you cannot enter around this time is on Friday, which is the holiest day on the calendar and therefore sees the mosque remain closed until 2:30pm.
Entrance is free and you can walk around and admire the stunningly beautiful interior. There’s also the option to hear a presentation about Islam, if you are interested. Undoubtedly, it’s an unmissable and magical sight in Istanbul.
Saint Petersburg Mosque – Saint Petersburg, Russia
Contributed by Campbell & Alya from Stingy Nomads
Though St.Petersburg is one of the most European Russian cities muslims historically formed a big part of the population. The Saint Petersburg Mosque was opened in 1913, its interior wasn’t completely finished. In the beginning of the XX century it was the largest mosque in Europe with
the capacity of 5000 people, nowadays it’s still one of the largest mosques.
The mosque was built on the donations of the local tartar community and the Russian muslim community. The construction started in 1909 but due to to the World War I the decoration works were postponed and it was completely finished only in 1917. In 1940 the mosque like many other churches and temples, was closed, for 15 years it was used as a storage and only in 1956 was returned to the city muslim community.
The mosque is often overlooked by tourists due to its not very central
location but it’s one of the most interesting off the beaten path places to see in Saint Petersburg. The building is an interesting mixture of the Oriental style architecture and the Northern Modern (local Art-Nouveau style) popular in St.Petersburg in the beginning of the XX century.
A huge blue-turquoise mosaic cupola dominates the building, it can be see from the opposite side of the Neve river. The cupola contrasts with the grey color of the building and two minarets. The central entrance is the most
impressive and my favorite part of the mosque, it’s decorated with ceramic mosaic of different shades of blue. The entrance is a great spot for taking photos.
Rustem Pasha Mosque – Istanbul, Turkey
Contributed by Corinne Vail from Reflections Enroute
The Rustem Pasha Mosque is a discreet smaller mosque lost amongst the greats like the Blue Mosque or the Yeni Camii. You can find it by winding your way through the Egyptian Bazaar and out the back door. It’s well known for it’s amazing use of the blue tiles, called Iznik tiles which are made in a small town across the Bosporus. Upon entering and removing your shoes, you are immediately drawn into the center of the mosque and any way you turn, you will see tile after tile. Hand-painted and hand-picked for this purpose no two tiles are exactly alike. They are painted in rich blue tones and contrast the red prayer rugs on the floor. Don’t miss this hidden gem of a mosque next time you visit Istanbul.
Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque – Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Contributed by Bradley Williams from Dream Big, Travel Far
When you visit the charming city of Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina, you are greeted by two of the country’s most wonderful sites. These are the Stari Most bridge and, not far behind it, the Koski Mehmed mosque. The latter of which stands out beautifully against the scenic backdrop of the surrounding buildings.
It was first built back in the early 1600s, and was partly destroyed during the war that raged through the country in the later 1900s. Since then, it has been rebuilt to restore to its former glory. I highly recommend going inside and it costs just 6 Euros. When inside, you are greeted by a wonderfully ornate domed roof and colourful glass windows.
Perhaps the most striking feature of the Koski Mehmed mosque is the tall minaret that rises up much higher than the dome. Entrants are welcome to climb up to the top and to experience stunning views out over the rest of the town and the lake. However, do be warned that it is a very narrow stairway all the way up, so it can get a bit claustrophobic!
Grande Mosquée de Paris – Paris, France
Contributed by Ann Marie from Eco Conscious Traveler
I absolutely love the Grand Mosque in Paris because it really stands out in the area it’s located in. The Mosque is situated in Paris’s 5th arrondissement which is also the Latin Quarter and only a stone’s throw from the beautiful Jardin des Plantes, a spacious garden with all sorts of colourful flowers and plants.
The exterior and interior which is designed in the Hispano-Moresque style brings to mind the beautiful and stunning Alhambra in Granada, southern Spain – it could be considered a mini version. The Mosque is one of the largest mosques in France and is stunning – well worth a visit in that case!
It’s open to visitors all through the week apart from Friday which is a day of prayer. Visitors to the Mosque also have the opportunity to pop into the adjoining cafe and restaurant. Drink the sweetest of mint tea and snack on some delicious desserts. If you want something more substantial the dishes in the restaurant are just delicious. If you’re a fan of tagine then you definitely won’t be disappointed.
There’s also a female-only Hamman where women can let any stress disappear with the steam.
Overall the Mosque is beautiful, well worth seeing and there’s plenty to do once you’re there as well as in the area.
Beautiful Mosques in the Middle East
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – Abu Dhabi, UAE
Contributed by Liliane Fawzy from My Toronto, My World
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, UAE is one of the most beautiful mosques in the entire world. It’s got beautiful marble columns, pearl details, white domes, reflecting pools, giant chandeliers and amazing spots for photography. One of the most beautiful parts of the mosque is the giant courtyard where up to 30,000 people can gather for Eid prayers!
We were visiting a friend in Dubai and decided we had to detour to Abu Dhabi to check out the Grand Mosque. All the pictures I had seen were absolutely stunning and I just couldn’t miss the opportunity to see it while I was finally in the country!
While we had wandered into mosques before, this was the first one that seemed super catered to visitors. There’s no entrance fee to visit the mosque but the hours do vary depending on time of year and prayer times. The mosque also does shut down for special visits so make sure to look it up before heading there! Once you arrive you’ll have to go through security and if you’re a woman you’ll be inspected based on your clothing. I was wearing ankle pants long pants and a long sleeve shirt but was still asked to wear an abaya on top so it’s a bit of a hit or miss regardless of how conservatively you dress. You’ll be asked to remove your shoes while walking around the mosque and since I wore flipflops this meant I got to walk around barefoot!
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque – Muscat, Oman
Contributed by Emily Lush from Wander-Lush
Safe, culturally vibrant and relatively affordable, Oman is a wonderful place to visit in the Middle East. A highlight of any trip is a pilgrimage to the main mosque in the capital city, Muscat.
Named for the country’s leader, the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is the biggest and most impressive house of prayer in Oman. It opened in 2001 and can accommodate up to 20,000 worshippers. Impressive without being too ostentatious, it houses the world’s second-largest single-piece carpet, and the world’s second-largest chandelier (the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi surpasses Muscat on both counts).
The scale and complexity of the mosque is undeniably impressive – but what I love most are the moments of peace and reverence: Two men crossing beneath an archway; a lone woman casting a shadow across the sparkling marble courtyard; a man seated on the carpet fingering through a copy of the Quran. If it wasn’t so hot and the prayer to call didn’t start ringing out, I could have happily spent hours there, observing the rituals and taking in all the beautiful details of the stonework and mosaics. Another highlight is experiencing the hospitality Omanis are famous for at the visitors’ centre, where guests are beckoned inside with a plate of fresh dates and little cups of coffee.
The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is open to non-Muslim visitors from 8.30am until 11am every day except Friday. Visitors are required to dress modestly, and women must cover their hair. Garments can be rented at the entrance.
Holy Mosque of Madinah – Medinah, Saudi Arabia
Contributed by Sara Essop from In Africa and Beyond
Madinah is known as the ‘radiant city’ and the ’enlightened city’. This serene city is steeped in Islamic history and was crucial to the foundations of Islam. The Holy Mosque of Madinah is the second largest mosque, and the second holiest mosque in the world , after the Holy Mosque of Mecca. It stands on the site of the original mosque built by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The mosque is covered in minarets and features a green dome, which covers the resting place of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the first two caliphs of Islam. The call to prayer is sounded five times a day. Each time, the surrounding businesses close for the prayer and crowds flock towards the mosque, lining up in orderly rows to pray. Inside the mosque, the floors are beautifully carpeted and arches are perched on marble pillars. Containers of holy zam-zam water line the pathways. In the courtyards surrounding the mosque, are umbrellas to shade the worshippers while they pray.
Millions of Muslims around the world visit this mosque every year. I have been fortunate to visit there several times and I always enjoy the feeling of sisterhood with women from countries far and wide. Even though, we don’t always speak the same languages, we still manage to communicate with each other.
Nasir al-Mulk Mosque – Shiraz, Iran
Contributed by Nicholas Lim from Rambling Feet
While I was looking up places to visit in Iran, I came across pictures of the interior of Nasir al-Mulk Mosque in Shiraz, where the stained glass windows cast a kaleidoscope of colours on the pink-tiled walls and carpets of the prayer hall. They were the most stunning photographs of any place of worship that I’d ever seen.
The funny thing was that I didn’t find out what it looked like from the outside before the morning of our visit. My friends and I relied on the directions that our guesthouse gave, even if we couldn’t see any domes. Everything we were after was behind a nondescript entrance at the end of a lane off Shiraz’s main avenue. Admission is 150,000 rials and women don’t need to put on a long chador unlike at some of the holier sites.
The sight of the twin minarets and the honeycomb vault greeted us in the courtyard. While it was fun to catch the reflection in the ablution pool, the highlight was the prayer hall. In winter, the sunbeams reached almost every corner and turned the space into a riot of colour. As the minutes ticked by, they inched across the hall before disappearing in the afternoon. Not surprisingly, there were plenty of photographers, but it never felt like there wasn’t enough space for us to bask in the light. I was delighted that it was as good in real life as it looked online!
Al Noor Mosque – Sharjah, UAE
Contributed by Arzo from Arzo Travels
The Al Noor Mosque in Sharjah, an emirate and city in the United Arab Emirates and next to Dubai, is surely not as famous or impressive at the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.
However, it is one of the most beautiful ones in Sharjah – a city (and also an emirate) that has more than 600 mosques in total. Yes, the small emirate really has numerous mosques and you can hear the muezzins call from any place in Sharjah.
So, what makes the Al Noor Mosque so special?
The mosque is located on the Khaled Lagoon at the Corniche and impresses with its Turisk Ottoman design. Standing on a popular tourist place, the mosque automatically attracts many visitors.
Its beautiful design really looks stunning and thus the mosque has become of the main attractions of the city. While there is no shortage of beautiful mosques (we are talking about more than 600 other mosques) this mosque was the first open to non-Muslims.
You have to follow a dress code but will get clothes at the mosque, and you are allowed to bring your camera and take pictures of the interior.
Timings for public visits are Monday and Thursday at 10 am. You can also book private visits but need to email and ask for allowance in advance (info.shjculture@awqaf.shj.ae)
King Abdullah I Mosque – Amman, Jordan
Contributed by Talek Nantes from Talek Nantes
The King Abdullah Mosque in Amman, the capital of Jordan, sits high in the Amman hills and is immediately recognizable for its graceful symmetry and blue dome.
Built in the 1980s by the former King Hussain in honor of his grandfather, King Abdullah, the mosque is a center of prayer with an attached museum, art gallery and gift shop. It can hold several thousand worshipers inside the domed structure and a few thousand more in the outside area. There is a small section reserved for female worshipers.
The mosque is the only one in Amman that allows non-Muslim visitors so, as non-Muslims, we felt lucky to be able to see the inside of such a beautiful building. Inside the floor is completely covered by prayer rugs. The wall decorations are inlaid with polished wood and Arabic writings all beautifully and gracefully designed in symmetrical, geometric patterns.
Female tourists who wish to enter must wear an abaya, a loose, dark hooded garment that covers one from head to toe. This can be obtained at the gift ship which also sells a nice collection of quality products from Jordanian women’s’ collectives.
The mosque is closed to visitors on Fridays so plan your trip so you won’t be disappointed because this destination is well worth visiting.
Shah Mosque – Isfahan, Iran
Contributed by Ellie & Ravi from Soul Travel Blog
Walking up to the Shah Mosque in Isfahan was probably the most magical moment of our Iran trip. Isfahan’s (or Esfahan’s) main draw is its main square: the Naqsh-e Jahan square. Translated, its name means “half the world” – and they’re not far off. The second largest square in the world (second only to Tiananmen Square in Beijing), the Nasqsh-e Jahan is a sight to behold and cannot be missed. One of the best viewing points of the square is from above; from the 5th floor balcony of inside the Ali Qapu Palace.
The Shah Mosque is one of two stunning mosques in the square (the other being the Lotfollah mosque). The entrance to the Shah mosque is impressive to say the least – take a few minutes to simply look up and enjoy the glittering shades of blue and turquoise as the sun creeps over them. Once inside prepare to see regal blue facades and gilded verses from the Koran in Arabic script at each turn as a new angle of this huge mosque is revealed.
The Shah Mosque (which is also known as the New Abbasi Mosque, Royal Mosque and Immam Mosque) was built in 1611, and is regarded as one of the masterpieces of Persian architecture. The mosque is said to contain 18 million bricks! You’ll need a good amount of time to explore and take photos; we recommend visiting early in the morning, and outside of the main tourist seasons (spring and autumn) if you can!
Jumeirah Mosque – Dubai, UAE
Contributed by Raluca Belu from Whisper Wanderlust
One of the most beautiful mosques I have visited so far is the Jumeirah Mosque in Dubai. I arrived there during an organized tour of the city, where we visited several other important sites, such as the Atlantis Hotel and the Zabeel Palace.
Jumeirah is the only mosque in Dubai that allows people from other religions to get inside, 6 days out of 7. Even if non-Muslims are welcomed, they have to respect the dress code, that is, shoulders and limbs need to be covered. Photos are also allowed. So do not forget to take the camera with you. Even if it doesn’t have impressive dimensions, it can accommodate up to 1,200 people. The exterior is very beautiful, built entirely of white, carved stone. Two towering minarets stand out from the distance. In the middle, there is a large dome, surrounded by other 4 smaller ones. The Mosque is as spectacular both during the day and after dark, so is a must-see when you are in Dubai.
So many beautiful travel stories and new places and mosques to explore in both familiar and not so familiar destinations. Have you been to any of these mosques? Or are you now inspired to travel to one of the above?
Comment your favorite mosques below!
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What a great list. This was some serious eye-candy for my Sunday afternoon. Loved Jama Masjid – Delhi, India. I REALLY like visiting different religious landmarks on my travels because I find so much peace and quiet and spirituality, and the architecture is so amazing. Wonderful finds and great mosque photos!