Top 10 Most Beautiful Mosques in the Middle East

Most Beautiful Mosques in the Middle East - Illustrated picture. Photo: Mixi

Mosques hold religious importance in the Muslim World. As these mosques are for Muslims they are designed and architect using Islamic culture and art. With Islam being accepted and spread throughout the corners of the world, a lot of distinct styles have inevitably evolved.

With the different cultures and styles that keep coming in, architectural styles come in with fusions that change the way mosques look. The mosques in the Middle East are one if the most beautiful mosques in the entire world that are inspired by a lot of different cultures.

The List of 10 Most Beautiful Mosques in the Middle East

1. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, UAE

2. The Blue Mosque, Istanbul

3. Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Muscat, Oman

4. Grand Mosque, Mecca, Saudi Arabia

5. Al Fateh Grand Mosque – Jufair, Bahrain

6. Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab Mosque – Doha, Qatar

7. Saleh mosque – Sanaa, Yemen

8. Umayyad Mosque, Damascus

9. Al-Masjid an- Nabawi Mosque, Medina, Saudi Arabia

10. Siddiqa Fatima Zahra Mosque, Kuwait

Which are the Most Beautiful Mosques in the Middle East?

1. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Photo: CNN

Boasting stunning exteriors and interiors, Sheikh Zayed Mosque is located in the UAE’s capital of Abu Dhabi. It was launched by the country’s late president, after whom the mosque was named, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. His resting place is located on the grounds beside the mosque. It is the largest mosque in the UAE. It is also considered as the main place of worship in Abu Dhabi.

Because of Sheikh Zayed’s plan, the construction of the mosque included materials from all over the world, including from countries such as India, Morocco, New Zealand, and Malaysia. The mosque features architectural designs that combine inspirations from Persian, Mughal and Moorish mosque structures. Also, it is reported that the carpet used in the prayer hall is the world’s largest carpet! The seven chandeliers in the mosque, which were imported from Germany, are the third-largest chandeliers in the world, and the second-largest chandeliers in a mosque.

Non-Muslims can visit the mosque independently, outside of prayer times, or there are also guided tours each day. Tours last for around 45 minutes and are conducted by volunteers. There is no cost to join an informative tour. Visitors must be dressed appropriately, and women must wear headscarves.

2. The Blue Mosque, Istanbul

Photo: Flickr

One of Turkey’s most prized treasures, the Blue Mosque in Istanbul is the one site you have to see in your lifetime. Stretching into the sky as if to remind us all of its great Ottoman past, this mosque is made famous with its enormous halls, vastly decorated ceilings, and beautiful calls to prayer.

3. Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Muscat, Oman

Photo: World Architecture Community

As one of Oman’s only mosques that allows non-Muslims, the Sultan Qaboos is an indisputably magnificent treasure. The massive chandelier in the centre, which was once seen as the world’s largest, holds 600,000 Swarovski crystals. Sultan Qaboos St,

4. Grand Mosque, Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Photo: Al Arabiya

Masjid Al Haram, also known as the Grand Mosque, the Great Mosque, and the Holy Mosque, translates to The Sacred Mosque, It is the biggest mosque in the world. It is also home to Islam’s holiest place, the Kaaba / Qibla, towards which Muslims face to pray. This means that this mosque is the only mosque in the world to not have a prayer direction, as everyone will be facing the Kaaba. This mosque is where Muslims come to perform their Hajj pilgrimage, which is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Muslims may also visit at any time of the year for Umrah.

The compound consists of both an outdoor and indoor praying area and covers a total area of 356,800 square metres (3,840,563 square feet). The mosque is said to be able to accommodate up to 82,000 worshippers. Al Haram was built in the 7th century and, over the centuries, like Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, it has seen several developments and expansions. Besides the Kaaba, other prominent features of the mosque include the Black Stone. This Black Stone was set into the Kaaba’s wall by Muhammad himself in the year 605. Worshippers can be seen kissing the Black Stone and it is said that the kisses will be received by Muhammad himself.

Non-Muslims cannot visit the mosque or enter the Holy City of Mecca. There are separate entrances and facilities for male and female Muslims.

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5. Al Fateh Grand Mosque – Jufair, Bahrain

Photo: alfatehbh.net

This mosque was constructed by the late Sheikh Isa ibn Salman Al Khalifa in 1987 where the mosque was named after Ahmed Al Fateh who was the conqueror of Bahrain.

This mosque has Italian marble floors, Austrian chandeliers and Indian teakwood doors that make this mosque incredibly breathe taking.

What is the most distinct feature of this mosque being the dome of the mosque which is the largest Fiber Glass dome in the entire world weighing nearly Sixty Thousand Kilograms.

6. Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab Mosque – Doha, Qatar

Photo: Qatar Guide

Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab Mosque is perhaps the most beautiful mosque in Qatar. This mosque was although constructed quite recently in 2011, preserves a whole lot of the traditional aspects of the Gulf Region’s history.

The mosque has a modest height and ninety smaller domes that try to replicate the building constraints back in the early years of Qatar.

They also have sandstone facades and this mosque holds the area of nearly Eleven thousand people. This mosque looks marvelous during the night time, lighting up much of Doha.

7. Saleh mosque – Sanaa, Yemen

Photo: Wikipedia

Undoubtedly, one of the most beautiful mosques in the middle east. This mosque is named after the Yemeni President, Ali Abdullah Saleh and this mosque covers a massive area of 27,300 square meters and can hold 44,000 people. This mosque cost nearly 60 million USD to construct making it the largest mosque in Yemen.

This mosque is built in the Yemeni and Arab Architecture, in fact, a fusion of both, making it a landmark for the capital city Sanaa. Looking at the mosque from a couple of hundreds of meters gives a soothing effect to your eyes.

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8. Umayyad Mosque, Damascus

Photo: Pinterest

Although ravaged by the war in Syria, the Umayyad Mosque stands as a poignant reminder to all of the importance in protecting our world heritage sites. Its richly ornamented courtyard, breezy alleyways, and peaceful prayer hall draw both tourists and religious pilgrims alike to pay homage to one of the last remaining historic sites after the destructive war in Syria.

Hopefully one day, in times of peace, this beautiful mosque will undergo restoration to return it to its former beauty and glory.

9. Al-Masjid an- Nabawi Mosque, Medina, Saudi Arabia

Photo: Twitter

Originally built by Prophet Muhammad, the Al-Masjid An-Nabawi Mosque is located in Medina, Saudi Arabia. Medina is the second holiest site in Islam, right after Mecca. It was also the second mosque to be built in the history of Islam. Today, it stands as one of the largest mosques in the world. It was originally located adjacent to the Prophet’s house, where he settled after his emigration, or Hijra, to Medina in 622 CE. In fact, the name of the mosque translates to the Prophet’s Mosque.

The original architecture of the house, which the Prophet himself took part in constructing, featured an open-air building and served as a community centre, a court, and a religious school. Today, it serves as a major pilgrimage site for Muslims, with many visiting after performing Hajj at Mecca. It is revered due to its connections with the life of Muhammad. The mosque’s prominent feature is the Green Dome, which is located in the southeast part of the mosque. The Green Dome is at the site of Aisha’s house, the youngest wife of the Prophet. Today, the tomb of the Prophet lies there. The dome was actually added in 1818 by the Ottoman Sultan Mahmud II and got its current name after it was first painted green in 1837.

Non-Muslims cannot enter the mosque. Indeed, obtaining a tourist visa for Saudi Arabia is very difficult, and entering the central part of Medina is forbidden.

10. Siddiqa Fatima Zahra Mosque, Kuwait

Photo: Pinterest

One of Kuwait’s newest mosques has architecture inspired by the iconic Taj Mahal. Distinctive features such as Quran verses on the interior walls, four primary minarets and a central brass dome conjure up a dizzying kaleidoscope of art that sets it apart from the Taj. Dahiya Abdullah Mubarak, near Kuwait International Airport, Kuwait

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