GRAND MOSQUE: A blend of faith, culture and architectural grandeur
His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik performs Eid Al Fitr prayers 1446 AH at the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque today
Published: 05:03 PM,Mar 30,2025 | EDITED : 09:03 PM,Mar 30,2025
The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque reflects the essence of Islamic architecture incorporating Omani artistic traditions
MUSCAT: The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is one of Oman’s most magnificent architectural landmarks.
His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik will perform Eid Al Fitr prayers 1446 AH at the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in the Wilayat of Bausher, Governorate of Muscat, today.
More than just a place of worship, the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque serves as a cultural and spiritual centre, promoting interfaith dialogue and embodying the values of peace, tolerance and harmony that Islam upholds.
The mosque is an architectural masterpiece that seamlessly blends traditional Omani craftsmanship with modern design elements, making it a must-visit landmark in the Sultanate of Oman.
Commissioned by the late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, the mosque took over six years to complete and was officially inaugurated on May 4, 2001.
Built on a vast area of 416,000 square metres, the structure reflects the essence of Islamic architecture while incorporating Omani artistic traditions. Its grand scale, intricate detailing and thoughtful design make it one of the most remarkable mosques in the world.
The mosque’s layout follows the Omani tradition of raising places of worship above the surrounding landscape, ensuring their prominence. Its five towering minarets, symbolising the Five Pillars of Islam, stand as striking features of the mosque’s skyline.
The central dome, with its elegant geometric patterns, adds to the mosque’s breathtaking beauty.
The main prayer hall, designed to accommodate over 6,500 worshippers, is a marvel of artistic and engineering excellence. Its soaring ceilings are adorned with elaborate Islamic motifs, while the doors and panels, crafted from imported Burmese teak wood, showcase intricate carvings and Quranic inscriptions in the elegant Thuluth script.
The women’s prayer hall, with a capacity of 750 worshippers, mirrors the grandeur of the main prayer space, ensuring an equally enriching spiritual experience. The mosque’s outer courtyards and arcades expand the total capacity to accommodate up to 20,000 worshippers during special congregational prayers.
One of the mosque’s most awe-inspiring features is its central chandelier, a true masterpiece of craftsmanship. Standing 14 metres tall and weighing approximately 8 tonnes, this stunning fixture is adorned with 1,122 Swarovski crystal lights, casting a mesmerising glow across the vast prayer hall. Manufactured in Germany, the chandelier is plated with gold and is listed among the world’s largest. The mosque houses a total of 36 chandeliers, each contributing to the overall opulence of the interior.
Equally remarkable is the mosque’s carpet, one of the largest single-piece handwoven carpets in the world.
Measuring over 60 by 70 metres and covering an area of 4,263 square metres, the carpet is a testament to the skill of Persian artisans. It was meticulously crafted in Neyshabur, Iran, by 600 female weavers over a period of four years.
Comprising 1.7 billion knots, the carpet weighs approximately 21 tonnes and features 28 natural plant-based dye colours. Its intricate patterns and rich hues add to the spiritual ambiance of the mosque, creating a sense of tranquillity and reverence.
The architectural splendour of the mosque extends beyond its vast prayer hall. The walls, clad in pristine Biancopi and Bardiglio marble, are adorned with finely crafted faience ceramic murals featuring intricate geometric and floral patterns.
The niches within the prayer hall serve both decorative and functional purposes, housing ventilation systems and copies of the Holy Quran, distinguished by red and black bindings to differentiate between complete and fragmented volumes.
The ablution areas, situated along the northern and southern corridors, reflect thoughtful design and practical elegance. These spaces include four square-shaped ablution sections, enhanced by beautiful independent courtyards and octagonal domes that allow natural light to filter in, creating a serene environment.
Equipped with automated water taps, these areas can accommodate 365 people at a time, offering both convenience and aesthetic appeal.
Beyond its role as a place of worship, the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque serves as a hub for education and cultural exchange. Its extensive library, spanning 97 square metres, houses over 30,000 books covering a diverse range of subjects, from Islamic studies to world history and science.
Open to students, researchers and visitors, the library is a treasure trove of knowledge and a reflection of Oman’s commitment to intellectual and spiritual growth.
The Islamic Information Centre within the mosque further strengthens its role as a bridge between cultures and faiths. Dedicated to educating visitors about the principles of Islam, the centre provides resources for those seeking knowledge about the religion. It also offers guidance to new Muslims, teaching them essential religious practices such as prayer, fasting and Haj.
The mosque’s grandeur is complemented by its meticulously designed gardens, which add a touch of natural beauty to the sacred space. The landscape design incorporates ornamental plants and vibrant flowers arranged in patterns inspired by traditional Islamic gardens.
The greenery extends to the southern side of the mosque, providing a tranquil environment that enhances the spiritual experience of visitors and worshippers alike.
The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque stands as an enduring symbol of Oman’s rich cultural heritage, architectural excellence and spiritual values. It continues to attract worshippers, scholars and tourists from around the world, offering them an opportunity to witness the grandeur of Islamic art and the warmth of Omani hospitality.
Whether through its breathtaking design, its commitment to education, or its message of unity and tolerance, the mosque remains a testament to the vision of the late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos and the lasting legacy he left behind. - ONA
His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik will perform Eid Al Fitr prayers 1446 AH at the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in the Wilayat of Bausher, Governorate of Muscat, today.
More than just a place of worship, the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque serves as a cultural and spiritual centre, promoting interfaith dialogue and embodying the values of peace, tolerance and harmony that Islam upholds.
The mosque is an architectural masterpiece that seamlessly blends traditional Omani craftsmanship with modern design elements, making it a must-visit landmark in the Sultanate of Oman.
Commissioned by the late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, the mosque took over six years to complete and was officially inaugurated on May 4, 2001.
Built on a vast area of 416,000 square metres, the structure reflects the essence of Islamic architecture while incorporating Omani artistic traditions. Its grand scale, intricate detailing and thoughtful design make it one of the most remarkable mosques in the world.
The mosque’s layout follows the Omani tradition of raising places of worship above the surrounding landscape, ensuring their prominence. Its five towering minarets, symbolising the Five Pillars of Islam, stand as striking features of the mosque’s skyline.
The central dome, with its elegant geometric patterns, adds to the mosque’s breathtaking beauty.
The main prayer hall, designed to accommodate over 6,500 worshippers, is a marvel of artistic and engineering excellence. Its soaring ceilings are adorned with elaborate Islamic motifs, while the doors and panels, crafted from imported Burmese teak wood, showcase intricate carvings and Quranic inscriptions in the elegant Thuluth script.
The women’s prayer hall, with a capacity of 750 worshippers, mirrors the grandeur of the main prayer space, ensuring an equally enriching spiritual experience. The mosque’s outer courtyards and arcades expand the total capacity to accommodate up to 20,000 worshippers during special congregational prayers.
One of the mosque’s most awe-inspiring features is its central chandelier, a true masterpiece of craftsmanship. Standing 14 metres tall and weighing approximately 8 tonnes, this stunning fixture is adorned with 1,122 Swarovski crystal lights, casting a mesmerising glow across the vast prayer hall. Manufactured in Germany, the chandelier is plated with gold and is listed among the world’s largest. The mosque houses a total of 36 chandeliers, each contributing to the overall opulence of the interior.
Equally remarkable is the mosque’s carpet, one of the largest single-piece handwoven carpets in the world.
Measuring over 60 by 70 metres and covering an area of 4,263 square metres, the carpet is a testament to the skill of Persian artisans. It was meticulously crafted in Neyshabur, Iran, by 600 female weavers over a period of four years.
Comprising 1.7 billion knots, the carpet weighs approximately 21 tonnes and features 28 natural plant-based dye colours. Its intricate patterns and rich hues add to the spiritual ambiance of the mosque, creating a sense of tranquillity and reverence.
The architectural splendour of the mosque extends beyond its vast prayer hall. The walls, clad in pristine Biancopi and Bardiglio marble, are adorned with finely crafted faience ceramic murals featuring intricate geometric and floral patterns.
The niches within the prayer hall serve both decorative and functional purposes, housing ventilation systems and copies of the Holy Quran, distinguished by red and black bindings to differentiate between complete and fragmented volumes.
The ablution areas, situated along the northern and southern corridors, reflect thoughtful design and practical elegance. These spaces include four square-shaped ablution sections, enhanced by beautiful independent courtyards and octagonal domes that allow natural light to filter in, creating a serene environment.
Equipped with automated water taps, these areas can accommodate 365 people at a time, offering both convenience and aesthetic appeal.
Beyond its role as a place of worship, the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque serves as a hub for education and cultural exchange. Its extensive library, spanning 97 square metres, houses over 30,000 books covering a diverse range of subjects, from Islamic studies to world history and science.
Open to students, researchers and visitors, the library is a treasure trove of knowledge and a reflection of Oman’s commitment to intellectual and spiritual growth.
The Islamic Information Centre within the mosque further strengthens its role as a bridge between cultures and faiths. Dedicated to educating visitors about the principles of Islam, the centre provides resources for those seeking knowledge about the religion. It also offers guidance to new Muslims, teaching them essential religious practices such as prayer, fasting and Haj.
The mosque’s grandeur is complemented by its meticulously designed gardens, which add a touch of natural beauty to the sacred space. The landscape design incorporates ornamental plants and vibrant flowers arranged in patterns inspired by traditional Islamic gardens.
The greenery extends to the southern side of the mosque, providing a tranquil environment that enhances the spiritual experience of visitors and worshippers alike.
The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque stands as an enduring symbol of Oman’s rich cultural heritage, architectural excellence and spiritual values. It continues to attract worshippers, scholars and tourists from around the world, offering them an opportunity to witness the grandeur of Islamic art and the warmth of Omani hospitality.
Whether through its breathtaking design, its commitment to education, or its message of unity and tolerance, the mosque remains a testament to the vision of the late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos and the lasting legacy he left behind. - ONA