Top 10 Biggest Mosques in the World

Mixi September 11, 2021 | 23:26

With each of the mosques possessing their own merits, mosques often make an especially powerful statement. Check out the list of 10 biggest mosques depending on capacity that KnowInsiders collects right below!

Illustrated picture. Photo: Mixi

Religion and spirituality have inspired people around the world to construct elaborate, impressive mosques for thousands of years. While a wide variety of holy sites can be found across the world, with each of them possessing their own merits, mosques often make an especially powerful statement. The reverence and care put into their construction, upkeep, and use make it clear that they’re a highly important part of the Islamic faith.

The List of 10 Biggest Mosques in the Word

1. Al-Haram Mosque

2. Forbidden Mosque

3. Imam Reza Shrine

4. The Prophet’s Mosque

5. The Faisal Mosque

6. The Mosque of Independence

7. Hassan II mosque

8. Badshahi Mosque

9. The Mosque of Al-Saleh

10. Sheikh Zayed Mosque

Which are the Biggest Mosques in the Word?

1. Al-Haram Mosque

Photo: Flickr

Worshiper Capacity: 4,000,000

The glorious Al-Haram Mosque serves as one of the most important spiritual sites in Saudi Arabia, and is one of the destinations in the Hajj and ʿUmrah pilgrimages. Millions of Muslim worshipers travel to this mosque each year, many of them gathering in the courtyard to conduct pilgrims’ rituals. Other famous features of the mosque include the Black Stone, which serves as a cornerstone in the Ka’bah that rests in the center of the courtyard, and the Station of Abraham: a rock that is believed to showcase Abraham’s footprint.

Did You Know?

This site is so intensely sacred to those of Islamic faith that non-Muslims are not permitted to enter Mecca or the mosque.

2. Imam Reza Shrine

Photo: Tehran Times

Worshiper Capacity: 1,500,000

The Imam Reza Shrine is the largest mosque in the world by area. A religious hub at the spiritual center of Iran, this beautiful Shrine Complex was built around the tomb of Imam Reza, the eighth Imam of Twelver Shiites. As a result of the Islamic Revolution, this important historic and cultural site has been expanded with additional courts, a library, and an Islamic university.

In the year 818, Imam Ali al-Ridha was murdered by the Abbasid caliph al-Ma’mun. He was laid to rest beside the grave of al-Ma’mun’s father, and earned the site the name “Mashhad al-Ridha,” which means “the place of martyrdom”. Mashhad al-Ridha became a pilgrimage site for Sunnis and Shias.

3. The Prophet’s Mosque

Photo: Destination KSA

Capacity of 1 million people

The second largest and most important for believers is the mosque in the world is in Medina. This is the Mosque of the Prophet, or Masjid al-Nabawi. It is commonly believed that the construction of the temple began in 622, and the Prophet Muhammad himself participated in it.

He was buried under the Green Dome. At the usual time the mosque of the prophet holds about 600 thousand people. During the pilgrimage it can accommodate up to 1 million believers. The area of the mosque is about 400 thousand square meters.

4. The Faisal Mosque

Photo: Mvslim

Capacity 300 thousand people.

The third place among the largest mosques in the world belongs to the Faisal mosque, located in Islamabad. Its construction was financed by the government of Saudi Arabia. The building of the mosque is located in a picturesque area.

It is noteworthy that its design is very different from the traditional architecture of Muslim temples. Most of all in appearance the building resembles the tent of a Bedouin-nomad. The design to dream during its erection caused great dissatisfaction, but after the construction was over, critics admitted that they were wrong. The Faisal mosque accommodates about 300 thousand people. The area of the mosque is 5 thousand square meters.

5. The Mosque of Independence

Photo: Asean Records World

Capacity of 120 thousand people.

The Independence Mosque or Istiklal, located in Indonesia in the city of Jakarta, ranks 4th among the largest mosques in the world. When the country gained independence in 1949, this great event was decided to perpetuate the construction of the largest religious structure in South-East Asia.

The construction of the mosque began in 1961. The temple hosts about 120 thousand visitors at the same time. The area of the mosque is 10 hectares.

6. Hassan II mosque

Photo: Asean GetYourGuide

Capacity of 105 thousand people.

The Hassan II mosque is on the 5th place among the largest religious constructions of the Muslim world. Located in the city of Casablanca, the Hassan Mosque is striking not only for its huge size, but also for its beauty — a magnificent view of the Atlantic Ocean from the huge glass hall of the temple.

The mosque holds 105 thousand people. The area of the temple is about 9 hectares. An interesting fact: all 800 million dollars spent on building a mosque are voluntary donations.

7. Badshahi Mosque

Photo: Ghoomlo.pk

Capacity of 60 thousand people.

The Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, commissioned by the sixth Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1671 and completed in 1673, is the second largest mosque in Pakistan. Its beauty makes it one of the top things to do in Lahore.

It used to be the largest mosque in the world till 1986 when the Faisal Mosque was constructed in Islamabad.

One cannot escape the sight of the grand red-bricked Badshahi Mosque on entering the historical city of Lahore which links Pakistan’s northern and southern regions.

8. The Mosque of Al-Saleh

Photo: Wikipedia

Capacity of 44 thousand people.

The Mosque of Al-Saleh is a modern mosque in Sanaa that is the largest in Yemen. It lies in the southern outskirts of the city, south of the Al Sabeen Maternal Hospital. Originally named "Al Saleh Mosque", it was inaugurated in November 2008 by the late Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh. The mosque, 27,300 square metres (294,000 sq ft) in size, has a central hall that is 13,596 square metres (146,350 sq ft) with an occupancy capacity of 44,000. The building cost nearly US$60 million to construct. Open to non-Muslims, the mosque is frequented by tourists, and promotes moderate Islam.

History

Saleh was criticized in 2008 for undertaking such a grand project when the country was suffering from socio-economic problems, wherein 42% of Yemenis lived in poverty and one in five were malnourished, according to United Nations estimates at the time. Several accidents occurred during its construction. The minarets collapsed multiple times, resulting in some deaths. After these occurrences, the site was used to build the Islamic college and the garden next to the mosque. It is also mentioned that Hayel Said, a local businessman, was threatened with reprisals and annulment of his business licenses, if he did not pay for the building of the mosque.

The mosque was the site of fighting during the conflict between Houthi and pro-Saleh forces in December 2017. At the time, rumours circulated in Sanaa that the Houthis intended to repaint the mosque's dome green.

The Saleh Mosque appears on the Yemeni currency. It is depicted on the face of the 2009 issue 250-rial note.

9. Sheikh Zayed Mosque

Photo: CNN

Capacity of 40 thousand people.

The Sheikh Zayed Mosque (United Arab Emirates) ranks 9th among the largest mosques in the world. It is famous not only for its size, but also for its stunning beauty. It is one of the main adornments of the city of Abu Dhabi. At the same time, there may be about 40 thousand people in it.

The mosque impresses with its interior: for decoration of buildings, colored marble and semiprecious stones were used. In addition, here is the largest and most luxurious chandelier in the world. The area of the mosque is 22 thousand square meters.

10. The Holy Mosque of Delhi

Photo: Flickr

Capacity of 25 thousand people.

On the 10th place among the largest mosques in the world is the Cathedral Mosque of Delhi, or Jami Masjid. The erection of the building began during the reign of Shah Jahan I, the padishah of the Mughal empire.

His name went down in history, he was elevated on the orders of Jahan by the magnificent mausoleum of the Taj Mahal mosque. The construction of the Cathedral Mosque was completed in 1656. At the same time, it can accommodate about 25 thousand people.