The most beautiful mosque in the world: list, features, history and interesting facts. Where is the largest mosque in the world? The most famous mosques
For Muslims, a mosque is not only a place for prayer and worship, it is also a meeting place with God. In addition, mosques play an important role in the social and aesthetic life of a society. And the luxurious temple buildings only confirm the greatness of the Muslim religion. Amazingly beautiful and extraordinary in their architecture and history, these buildings have long become a favorite tourist attraction. And it doesn’t matter at all whether you are a Christian or a Muslim, a Buddhist or a Catholic - it is impossible not to admire these buildings. The most beautiful mosques in the world are in this article.
Most most
Every person has his own opinion, as the famous proverb says. So it is with the choice of the largest and most beautiful mosques in the world - many ratings from various sources offer a variety of options. The first such structures appeared in the seventh century, and since then their number has only been growing. There are about 4 million mosques in the world, 140 of them are in New York, there are 70 in Beijing, 4 in Moscow, and 100 mosques in London. The world of the most beautiful and amazing mosques according to the rating of the Timeturk portal, for example, was topped by the mosque (Kazan). Although, according to Russian publications, she is not the most beautiful in Russia. In second place and third place are the buildings of Malaysia - the Crystal Mosque in Kuala Terengganu and the Putra Mosque. Of the 50 similar structures in the rating, seven are located in Malaysia, 4 in India, 3 each in China and Pakistan.
The most beautiful mosque in the world
In the heart of every believer, the main and most beautiful will be the Al-Haram Mosque in Mecca. This, otherwise called the Forbidden Mosque, is the custodian of the main Muslim relic - the Kaaba or the Stone of Forgiveness (a 15-meter cube in the courtyard, inside of which there is a black stone). This structure can accommodate up to 2.5 million people during the Hajj, and is also the largest mosque in the world. And wherever believers are, it is to her that they turn, offering prayers. It was built in 638, and its sides are located strictly according to the cardinal points.
600 thousand - and the very best
This is exactly how much money was spent on the construction of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in the capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi. Built in 2007 and named after the country's first president, Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan, it is one of the temple buildings where everyone is allowed, not just Muslims. Moreover, excursions are free for both Muslims and representatives of other faiths. And there is something to see - this is the prayer hall with 1096 columns of white marble, and panels decorated with precious stones, and floral mosaics. It can confidently be called the most beautiful mosque in the world inside. Luxurious gold chandeliers and the world's largest handmade carpet - you won't find anything like this anywhere else. Huge pools, illuminated at night, create mystical beauty and amaze with their splendor.
The most beautiful of the oldest mosques
Built in the 8th century by ruler Al-Walid in 6 years, the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus is considered the largest and most beautiful mosque of antiquity. Its architecture has a noticeable Roman influence. And it’s not surprising, because nearby is the temple of Roman legionnaires.
The Prophet's Mosque in Medina, founded by the Prophet Muhammad himself and built in 622, also competes for primacy in this category.
Crystal Mosque - a miracle of miracles
One of the most beautiful mosques in the world is located in Kuala Terengganu in Malaysia. Located on Won Man Island, it is made of concrete and steel frame, and covered with frosted and mirrored glass. During the day it glows in the rays of the sun, and at night it plays with all colors thanks to complex lighting. This mosque was built in 2008 by order of the Sultan Trengganu Mizan Zain al-Abidin, its highest part is at an altitude of 42 meters.
The most beautiful in Russia
In modern Russia, most publications consider the “Heart of Chechnya” mosque, built in 2008 in Grozny, to be the most beautiful. It was built by architects from Turkey. Its 63-meter-high minarets, central domes and Ottoman-style park are considered by many to be the most beautiful piece of Muslim architecture in Europe. This modern mosque with its own television and radio studio can accommodate up to 10 thousand believers.
Another magnificent example is the St. Petersburg one, which opened in 1913 and coincided with the tercentenary of the Romanov dynasty. Samarkand and Cairo architecture with ceramics of an unusual blue hue, 48-meter minarets and 39-meter domes, it has long been considered the largest in Europe.
10 most beautiful mosques in the world: ranking of online surveys
Most online resources offer the following ten most beautiful buildings in this category:
During World War II, it was the mosque in Paris that became a refuge for Jews and saved hundreds of lives.
In 2001, Pope Paul II visited the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, prayed there and even kissed the Koran.
The famous Hagia Sophia in Constantinople became a cathedral in 1935, and before that it was the Hagia Sophia mosque.
And today, ostrich eggs, which are hung between the lamps, protect from spiders and cobwebs.
There is a sacred spring near the Haram Beit Ullah mosque in Saudi Arabia. According to legend, when it runs out of water, Judgment Day will come on earth and the world will end.
Let's sum it up
For every believer, their temple will always remain the most beautiful and dear. Having looked at the wonders of architecture and decoration of Islamic temple buildings, many of which are rightfully included in the UNESCO list of architectural heritage, I would like to believe that differences in architectural styles will not prevent people of different beliefs from maintaining tolerance, tolerance and acceptance of beliefs different from their own. The path to God is different for everyone and requires not only mental effort, but also, as we see, physical and material investments. The greatness of religious buildings of different faiths in the modern world should unite society in the name of preserving peace and unity.
Mosque- an architectural structure that serves as a place for prayer and worship for adherents of the Islamic faith. Unlike Christian churches, the mosque does not have the status of a holy place, with the exception of the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, in the courtyard that houses the ancient Muslim shrine, the Kaaba. Below is a list with photos of ten of the most beautiful and some of the largest mosques in the world.
Kul-Sharif is a mosque located in the city of Kazan (Tatarstan, Russia) in the western part of the Kazan Kremlin. It is one of the main Muslim temples of Tataria and one of the tallest mosques in Europe (the height of each minaret is 57 meters). Its construction, the cost of which is estimated at 400 million rubles, began in 1996, and the opening took place on June 24, 2005 on the 1000th anniversary of the city. The interior space of the temple is designed for one and a half thousand believers; the square in front of the temple can accommodate another 10,000.
Sabanci Mosque is the largest mosque in Turkey, located in the city of Adana, on the banks of the Seyhan River. Despite its large size, it was built in less than a year in 1998. The closed area of the mosque is 6,600 square meters, the area of the adjacent territory is 52,600 square meters. It has six minarets, four of which are 99 meters high, the other two are 75 meters high. The temple is designed for 28,500 people.
The Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque, located in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of the Sultanate of Brunei, is considered one of the most beautiful mosques in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as the main attraction of Brunei. It was built in 1958 and is an example of modern Islamic architecture. The mosque reaches a height of 52 m and can be seen from almost anywhere in the city.
The seventh place on the list is occupied by Faisal, the largest mosque in Pakistan, located in the city of Islamabad. Its construction at a cost of $120 million began in 1976 and was completed in 1986. Faisal covers an area of 5,000 square meters and can accommodate 300,000 worshipers. The height of the minarets is 90 meters.
In sixth place in the ranking of the most beautiful mosques in the world is the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, located in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. It was built between 1996–2007. Covers an area of more than 12 hectares and can simultaneously accommodate 40,000 believers. The main prayer hall can accommodate 7,000 people. The mosque has four minarets that rise to 107 m.
Fifth place in the list of the most beautiful mosques in the world is Tengku Tengah Zaharah or “Floating Mosque”. It is located 4 km from the city of Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia. Its construction began in 1993 and was completed in 1995. The official opening took place in July 1995. The temple covers an area of about 5 hectares and can accommodate up to 2,000 visitors at a time.
Mezquita
Mezquita is a mosque, partially rebuilt into a cathedral. Located in the city of Cordoba, Spain. It was built by Emir Abdarrahman I on the site of the Visigothic church of Vincent of Saragossa in 784. Later it became a mosque. It is the most significant monument of the Umayyad dynasty, made in the Moorish architectural style.
Al-Aqsa Mosque is a Muslim temple located in the Old City of Jerusalem on the Temple Mount. It is the third most significant shrine in Islam after the Al-Haram Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina. It covers an area of 144,000 square meters, although the mosque itself is located on an area of 35,000 square meters. Up to 5,000 believers can pray in it at the same time.
Masjid an-Nabawi is a mosque located in the city of Medina, Saudi Arabia. The first small mosque on this site was built during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad, but subsequent Islamic rulers constantly expanded the shrine, turning it into one of the largest. Under the Green Dome (Dome of the Prophet) is the tomb of Muhammad. The exact date of construction of the dome is unknown, but its description can be found in manuscripts dating back to the beginning of the 12th century.
Al-Haram Mosque
Mosque al-Haram is the most beautiful, largest and most revered mosque located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The temple covers an area of 356,800 square meters and can accommodate up to 4 million people during the Hajj. The existing mosque has been known since 1570, but little remains of the original building, as it was rebuilt several times during its existence.
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1. Sacred Mosque (Masjid al-Haram) in Mecca
4. Independence Mosque (Masjid Istiqlal) in Jakarta
The Indonesian Independence Mosque or Istiqlal Mosque is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia. In 1949, Indonesia gained independence, and in order to perpetuate this event, it was decided to build such a large religious building in the capital of the state. Construction of the mosque began in 1961. The temple accommodates about 120 thousand worshipers.
5. Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca
Located in the largest Moroccan city of Casablanca, the Hassan II Mosque amazes not only with its enormous size, but also with its beauty. Directly from the huge glass hall of the building there is a magnificent view of the Atlantic Ocean. Let us note that the mosque can accommodate 105 thousand people. The area of the temple is about 9 hectares. Interesting fact: all 800 million dollars spent on the construction of the mosque were voluntary donations.
6. Badshahi Mosque in Lahore
The Badshahi Mosque was built in the mid-17th century in the Pakistani city of Lahore by order of the last ruler of the Mughal dynasty. The mosque is built on a high platform that overlooks the old city. The dimensions of the mosque's courtyard are 159 × 527 m. The mosque has eight minarets: four in the corners of the prayer hall and the same number in the corners of the wall surrounding the mosque. The height of the external minarets is 62 meters. The main entrance opens into a vast brick-paved courtyard that can accommodate up to 60,000 worshipers
7. Al-Saleh Mosque in Sana'a
Al-Saleh Mosque is the main and largest mosque in the capital of Yemen - Sana'a. The temple was erected by order of the first president of the country, Ali Abdullah Saleh, mostly with his personal money (about 60 million dollars), and bears his name. The mosque is incredibly beautiful - six minarets, each 100 meters high, visible from all over the city, richly decorated domes, a combination of different types of stones, including black basalt and red, white and black limestone, and stained glass windows. The official opening of the religious building took place in 2008. The mosque consists of a complex of buildings, the largest of which, for prayers, occupies more than 27 thousand square meters. meters. The main hall can accommodate up to 44 thousand worshipers.
8. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is famous not only for its size, but also for its stunning beauty. It is one of the main decorations of the capital of the United Arab Emirates - the city of Abu Dhabi. The mosque amazes with its interior decoration: colored marble and semi-precious stones were used to decorate the buildings. In addition, it houses the largest and most luxurious chandelier in the world. Square
One of the orders of the Prophet Muhammad contains the following lines: “If anyone builds a mosque for Allah, then for that purpose he will build a similar one in paradise.” Of course, for all representatives of Islam, the construction of sanctuaries for performing prayers is a godly deed. And recently, in every country where they live according to the rules of the Koran, they are trying to build objects for Muslim prayer services that are unique in terms of architecture and design. And not everyone knows where the largest mosque in Russia is located. However, this issue is controversial for some. Let's take a closer look at it.
Heart of Chechnya
Many claim that the largest mosque in Russia is located in Grozny. This architectural complex, built in 2008, truly amazes with its decoration and beauty. There are magnificent fountains and a picturesque garden here. The walls were decorated with a special material (taverine), which was used to build the Colosseum. The temple is decorated with white marble, which was brought from the island of Marmara Adasi (Türkiye). The inside walls of the mosque were painted with gold and special paints. The ceilings are decorated with luxurious chandeliers, which were made from the most expensive crystal.
The largest mosque in Russia (photos of which previously often adorned the pages of newspapers and magazines) fascinates and delights with beauty at night, when every detail of it is visible against the backdrop of lighting. In spring, plants begin to bloom on the temple grounds and emit an indescribably pleasant smell.
Sacred place of the entire republic
Looking at the splendor and pomp of the Chechen temple, you really are convinced that the largest mosque in Russia is located in Grozny. It is named after the first head of the republic - Akhmat Kadyrov. This majestic complex of architecture becomes noticeable after you enter the city. The total area of the structure is 5 thousand square meters. Its minarets are the highest: they reach 63 meters.
The Russian Islamic University and the Spiritual Administration of Muslims are located on the territory of the mosque. The order and cleanliness of the temple is very carefully monitored. Every Muslim who comes to stay in Chechnya strives to get here. Well, when the time comes for the main holy holiday of Muslims, then, seeing the scale and scope with which believers celebrate Ramadan in the “Heart of Chechnya,” all doubts about where the largest mosque in Russia is completely disappear. In general, this is the main attraction of Chechnya, which everyone who believes in Allah should see. Having visited this place once, a person has a desire to come here again and again.
Cathedral Mosque in Moscow
When asked what the largest mosque in Russia has been built recently, some answer that it is the Cathedral.
However, this point of view cannot be considered completely correct. This sanctuary for Muslim prayers was erected in the Russian capital at the beginning of the 20th century. The cathedral mosque was built according to the design of the architect Nikolai Zhukov with money from the Tatar philanthropist Salikh Erzin.
Most recently, the festive opening of the Cathedral Mosque took place after restoration, which lasted ten years. The area of the temple was increased twenty times, and now it exceeds 19,000 square meters. The capacity of the Cathedral Mosque is 10,000 people. Despite this, it cannot be considered the largest sanctuary for performing prayers in Russia. However, this architectural structure is considered
Today, there are several large Muslim churches in the Russian capital: Memorial Mosque on Poklonnaya Hill, Historical Mosque (Bolshaya Tatarskaya Street), Yardyam Mosque (Otradnoye District), Cathedral Mosque (Vypolzov Lane).
Ufa mosque
Some are one hundred percent sure that the largest mosque in Russia will soon be located here.
Ufa, in their opinion, is just that place. In this city, work is in full swing on the construction of a gigantic complex with tall minarets and domes. In 2017, the Ufa Cathedral Mosque will become the largest temple for Muslims. Indeed, the scale of the project is amazing: the height of the minarets is 74 meters, and the height of the dome is 46 meters. It is noteworthy that the first two minarets will be equipped with elevators.
Juma mosque
Some experts argue that, in terms of capacity, the first place should be given to the sanctuary for performing prayer, which is located in Makhachkala. It is called Juma Mosque. This temple was designed in the likeness of the famous one (Istanbul). After reconstruction work carried out in 2007, its capacity increased to 15,000 people.
St. Petersburg Cathedral Mosque
The construction of this temple is the merit of Akhun Bayazitov, and the money for construction was given by Emir Seid-Abdul-Akhat Khan and several entrepreneurs from Tatarstan. The cathedral mosque in the Northern capital is also a tribute to political correctness: during the reign of Alexander III, part of the territory of Central Asia went to Russia and in this regard, the emperor wanted to prove to representatives of Islam that their rights and interests would not be infringed in any way. The mosque opened its doors in February 1913.
Mosque in the village of Jalka
One of the largest is considered to be a mosque located in the Chechen village of Dzhalka. This sanctuary can accommodate 5,000 devotees. It was opened in honor of the 60th anniversary of the first head of the republic, Akhmat Kadyrov.
Kul Sharif (Kazan)
This religious monument can accommodate over 2000 Muslims. It began to be built on the territory of the Kazan Kremlin in 1996 with the goal of recreating the initial version of the ancient multi-minaret mosque of the main city of the ancient Khanate. This architectural complex was destroyed in the middle of the 16th century, when the army of Ivan the Terrible stormed Kazan. The temple is named after the last imam, whose name was Kul-Sharif.
