Mosques are not only a place of worship for Muslims, but also represent the rich history of Islam. Many mosques around the world offer breathtaking and almost majestic architecture and are also considered tourist attractions. They welcome visitors who not only want to marvel at the buildings but are also fascinated by the customs and traditions of Islam.
Here are the 10 most beautiful mosques in the world. We have not included any mosques from Pakistan and also excluded Masjid al-Haram and Masjid an Nabawi, as these are already two of the most beautiful mosques in the world.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
The magnificent Sheikh Zayed Mosque is located in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The courtyard has 82 domes, 1000 columns, gold-plated chandeliers made of 24 carat gold and the largest handmade carpet in the world that will take your breath away. A reflecting pool surrounds the mosque and enhances its beauty.
Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca, Morocco
Hand-carved stone, intricate mosaic tiles and gilded ceilings show the excellent Moroccan craftsmanship in the Hassan II Mosque. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the 700-foot minaret is the second largest in the world. The mosque includes a madrassa, hammams, an extensive museum and a library.
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Muscat, Oman
The Great Mosque was inaugurated in 2001 to celebrate Sultan Qaboos’ 30th anniversary as ruler. The centerpiece of the landmark is the lavish chandelier above the men’s prayer hall. The lamp consists of 600,000 pieces of crystal set with gold and more than 100 lamps.
Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque, Selangor, Malaysia
It is the largest mosque in the country and also the second largest mosque in Southeast Asia. Due to its size, the mosque can accommodate 24,000 believers at any time. The most striking feature is the large blue-silver dome.
Sultan Ahmed Mosque Istanbul, Turkey
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, popularly known as the “Blue Mosque”, is an architectural marvel. Although the outside does not immediately catch your attention, the inside is an absolute delight. The beauty of the six minarets at night is simply breathtaking.
Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque, Famagusta, Cyprus
The Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque, originally known as St. Nicholas Cathedral and later known as the Sophia (Ayasofya) Mosque of Mağusa, is the largest medieval building in Famagusta, Cyprus. It was built in 1328 as a Catholic cathedral. The cathedral was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman Empire conquered Famagusta in 1571 and is still a mosque today.
Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, Shiraz, Iran
The Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, also known as the Pink Mosque, comes alive at sunrise with a kaleidoscope of colors. As you explore the exterior, you will be amazed at the intricate details and liveliness of the design – truly a spectacle like no other.
Kul Sharif Mosque, Kazan, Russia
The Kul Sharif mosque is the largest mosque in Russia, one of the most important mosques in Tatarstan, which was named in honor of the Tatar national hero Kul Sharif. The interior of the mosque is designed for 1,500 people. The square in front of the mosque can accommodate another 10,000 people. The mosque complex includes a museum, a library and a publishing house.
Malacca (Melaka) Straits Mosque, Malacca, Malaysia
The mosque on Malacca Street was opened in 2006 and since then has been an important tourist attraction not only in Malacca but throughout Malaysia. It is located on the artificial island of Malacca.
What makes this mosque so beautiful is not only its stunning architecture, which combines both Middle Eastern and Malay handicrafts, but also the fact that it was built on the coast of the street and the mosque looks like it is at high water level it floats above the water!
Great Mosque of Xi’an, Xi’an, China
The Great Mosque of Xi’an houses more than 20 buildings in its five courtyards, making it the largest mosque in China. Many of the architectural features of the sacred site pay homage to Persian roots, while the style of the infrastructure was maintained during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
