The largest mosque in the CIS. The three largest mosques in the world
Mosques are places where Muslims gather to pray. Often they amaze not only with their beauty and decoration, but also with their size, because they must accommodate a huge number of believers.
The largest mosque in the world: the revised leader
In third place in terms of capacity is the Shah Faisal Mosque. It is located in Islamabad, Pakistan. The construction of the temple was sponsored by Saudi Arabia, which is why it is named after King Faisal of Saudi Arabia at that time. It was he who expressed the desire to build a large mosque in Islamabad, when the city was still being built. Therefore, it turns out that Faisal was the initiator of its construction.It is worth noting that Shah Faisal used to be only in sixth place among the largest mosques in the world. However, experts took into account the capacity of the adjacent territory for 100 thousand people, as well as the courtyard and prayer hall, which is another 200 thousand people. The new numbers helped put the mosque in third place in the ranking of the largest mosques in the world.
The prayer hall of the mosque has an area of 0.48 hectares, but the total area of the temple is almost 19 hectares, with a dome height of 40 meters. The minarets rise to a height of 88 meters. Saudi Arabia spent 130 million rials on the construction of such a giant mosque. This is approximately 120 million dollars. And some sources give this mosque the first place in the world, in terms of the size of a single prayer hall, which is located under one dome.
By the way, the king of Saudi expressed his desire to build a mosque back in 1966, three years later, projects for the competition were prepared. The temple itself began to be erected in 1976, completed around 1985. And the architecture of one of the largest mosques in the world combines all the traditions of Muslim architecture, as well as the modernity of approaches. On the one hand, the mosque has everything that is attributed to a classical mosque: minarets, a prayer hall with mosaics and paintings. And at the same time the temple is not like any other in the world.
Shah Faisal is able to evoke conflicting associations, that is, she is able to keep the visitor in admiration and amazement. This is because the mosque looks like a tent of a nomad who stopped in the lower reaches of the mountain for the night (behind the mountain are the Himalayas and it seems that the traveler decided to stop before crossing). On the other hand, it seems that a spaceship with aliens has stopped at the site of the mosque - such a futuristic building.
The four minarets that create a visual square around the mosque will remind the believer of Istanbul's mosques. And this is the only thing that the Turkish architect Vedat Dalokai took from his people and took to Pakistani soil (the mosque was built according to his project).
And finally, information about what the mosque was built from: concrete and marble. It contains an incredible number of straight lines for a Muslim sanctuary and a beautiful golden ball-chandelier. At night, it looks enchanting, in the light of lights and illuminations.
Second largest mosque in the world
This is the Prophet's Mosque, which is in Saudi Arabia, but in Medina, not Mecca. The Prophet's Mosque is the second holiest site in Islam. The temple stood in Medina during the earthly life of the Prophet Muhammad. Subsequently, he, as well as the righteous caliphs Abu Bakr and Umar, were buried here. The tomb of the Prophet is located under a green dome. Believers believe that he took part in the construction of the mosque. 
The mosque was built in the first year of the Hijra, later it was rebuilt many times and expanded. Now the capacity of the mosque of the Prophet is 600 thousand people. The territory of the sanctuary is approximately 400-500 square meters. But it is believed that during the Hajj it is able to accommodate up to a million people. One of the components of the temple is a platform 30 centimeters high - this is the veranda of Safa, the place where the companions once lived, but left their homes and moved to the Prophet exactly until they found their own housing. It is believed that from 70 to 100 askhabs lived on the veranda.
One of the largest mosques - the mosque of the Prophet
Perhaps the most important decoration of the mosque is the columns. And each of them has a name and tells with its presence about the events that it has witnessed. The architecture of the entire ensemble has a classical style. And it was from this mosque that the main architectural features in the rest of the mosques of the world were adopted. In front of the temple there is a classic rectangular square, on which believers pray, gather for meetings, litigation and classes.
The largest mosque in the world: the heart of the Islamic world
One of the most important Muslim shrines, the al-Haram mosque in Mecca, is the heart of the Islamic world. This is the Kaaba - the main shrine of Islam. The Kaaba, translated from Arabic, bears the symbolic name "al-Bayt al-Haram", which means "sacred house". Therefore, believers strive for the courtyard of the Sacred Mosque all their lives. And it is in the direction of the largest mosque in the world that they turn, reading prayer five times a day. By the way, every Muslim, if he has the opportunity, is obliged to make a pilgrimage to the Kaaba.Over the centuries, the building of the main mosque was regularly reconstructed and rebuilt. Since the number of pilgrims was constantly increasing, it became necessary to increase the capacity of the sanctuary. The last time construction took place on the territory of the largest mosque in the world in 1980. Then one building of impressive size and two minarets were added.
The number of minarets in Haram Beit Ullah grew in proportion to the mosque. And now there are nine. They are ninety-five meters in height. Well, the area of \u200b\u200bthe entire structure at the moment is 309 thousand square meters. The complex has four main entrances with gates, as well as 44 secondary ones. Rivers of believers flow through these doors, it is hard to imagine, but up to 700 thousand people can get into the mosque for one prayer.
Well, those who did not have enough space in the chapels on three floors can pray on the roof of the building, which has long been specially finished with marble slabs. By the way, prayer rooms are located even in the basement, but they are opened only on days of a special influx of visitors. To make believers feel comfortable, the building of the largest mosque in the world is equipped with air conditioners, escalators, as well as modern video cameras. The complex has its own television and radio studios. To illuminate the entire Masjid-ul-Haram, the largest mosque in the world, two powerful power plants are turned on.
A mosque for Muslims is not only a place for prayers and worship, it is also a place of meeting with God. In addition, mosques play an important role in the social and aesthetic life of society. And luxurious temple buildings only confirm the greatness of the Muslim religion. Surprisingly beautiful and extraordinary in their architecture and history, these buildings have long been a favorite tourist attraction. And it does not matter at all whether you are a Christian or a Muslim, a Buddhist or a Catholic - it is impossible not to admire these structures. The most beautiful mosques in the world - in this article.
Most most
Everyone has an opinion, as the famous proverb says. So 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 grown. There are about 4 million mosques in the world, 140 of them in New York, 70 in Beijing, 4 in Moscow, and 100 in London. The world of the most beautiful and amazing mosques according to the rating of the Timeturk portal, for example, was headed by a mosque (Kazan). Although according to Russian publications, she is not the most beautiful in Russia. In second place and third place in Malaysia are the Crystal Mosque in Kuala Terengganu and the Putra Mosque. Of the 50 such structures in the rating, seven are 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 mosque, otherwise called the Forbidden, is the custodian of the main Muslim relic - the Kaaba or the Stone of Forgiveness (15-meter cube in the courtyard, inside of which there is a black stone). This building during the Hajj accommodates up to 2.5 million people, being 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 on the cardinal points.
600 thousand - and the very best
That is how much money was spent on the construction of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi. Built in 2007 and named after the first president of the country, Zayd ibn Sultan al-Nahyan, it is one of the temple buildings where everyone is allowed, not just Muslims. At the same time, excursions for both Muslims and representatives of other faiths are free. And there is something to see - this is a prayer hall with 1096 columns of white marble, and panels with precious stones, and a floral mosaic. It can be safely 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 it anywhere else. Huge pools, illuminated at night, create mystical beauty and amaze with splendor.
The most beautiful of the oldest mosques
Built in the 8th century by the ruler Al-Walid in 6 years, the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus is considered the largest and most beautiful mosque of antiquity. The Roman influence is noticeable in its architecture. And it is not surprising, because there is a temple of Roman legionnaires nearby.
Competing for the championship in this category is the Mosque of the Prophet in Medina, founded by the Prophet Muhammad himself and built in 622.
Crystal Mosque - wonder of wonders
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 burns 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 such Sultan as Terengganu Mizan Zain al-Abidin, the highest part of it is at a height 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 finest piece of Muslim architecture in Europe. This modern mosque with its TV and radio studio can accommodate up to 10,000 believers.
Another magnificent example is the St. Petersburg opening of which took place in 1913 and was timed to coincide with the tercentenary of the Romanov dynasty. Samarkand and Cairo architecture with unusual blue ceramics, 48-meter minarets and 39-meter domes, it has long been considered the largest in Europe.
10 most beautiful mosques in the world: rating of Internet polls
Most online resources offer the following ten of the most beautiful buildings in this category:
During the Second World War, it was the mosque in Paris that became a haven for Jews and saved hundreds of lives.
In 2001, Pope Paul II visited the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, where he prayed 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 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.
Summing up
For each believer, his temple will always remain the most beautiful and expensive. Having looked at the wonders of architecture and decoration of the temple buildings of Islam, many of which are rightfully included in the UNESCO architectural heritage list, I would like to believe that the differences in architectural styles will not prevent people of different faiths 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 efforts, 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 maintaining peace and unity.
1. Protected mosque (Masjid al-Haram) in Mecca
4. Independence Mosque (Masjid Istiklal) in Jakarta
The Indonesian Independence Mosque or Istiklal 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. The 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 impresses not only with its huge size, but also with its beauty. Directly from the huge glass hall of the building offers a magnificent view of the Atlantic Ocean. Note that the mosque can accommodate 105 thousand people. The area of the temple is about 9 hectares. An interesting fact: all 800 million dollars spent on the construction of the mosque are voluntary donations.
6. Badshahi Mosque in Lahore
The Badshahi Mosque was built in the middle of the 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 rises above the old city. The dimensions of the courtyard of the mosque are 159 × 527 m. The mosque has eight minarets: four at the corners of the prayer hall and the same number at the corners of the wall surrounding the mosque. The height of the outer minarets is 62 meters. The main entrance opens into a vast, brick-paved courtyard that can accommodate up to 60,000 worshippers.
7. Al Saleh Mosque in Sana'a
The Al Saleh Mosque is the main and largest mosque in the capital of Yemen - Sana'a. The temple was erected by order of the country's first president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, mostly with his personal money (about $60 million), and bears his name. The mosque is incredibly beautiful - six minarets visible from all over the city, each of which is 100 meters high, richly decorated domes, a combination of different types of stones, including black basalt and red, white and black limestone, windows decorated with 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 44,000 worshipers.
8. Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi
The Sheikh Zayed 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 impresses with its interior decoration: colored marble and semi-precious stones were used to decorate the buildings. In addition, the largest and most luxurious chandelier in the world is located here. Square
The Muslim world is very interesting and mysterious for the European layman. Religion and faith in God, even now, in an era of fundamental changes in the worldview of millions of people around the world, remains a symbol of all Muslims. Mosques are holy places for Muslims, where they can be alone with Allah and talk with him about the most intimate. What are the main mosques in Islam and where are the holy places located?
Forbidden Mosque, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
The main shrine of all Muslims. The most grandiose and unique structure that has ever been erected in the Islamic world is called the Forbidden Mosque or Masjid Al-Haram. This mosque houses the Kaaba - the main relic and value of Islam. The first mention of the mosque dates back to 638, in its present form the temple has existed since 1570. Throughout the time, it is being reconstructed and enlarged to accommodate everyone who wants to visit this holy place. In Islam, it is accepted that every believer must make a pilgrimage to the holy land in Mecca.
The building is striking in its size; its area is about 400 thousand square meters. meters, 9 minarets, 89 meters high. The mosque has 48 entrances so that everyone can get into the building without crowding. Up to 1 million people can be in it at the same time., and with adjacent territories up to 3.5-4 million pilgrims. It is the heart of all Islam. Every day, tens of millions of believers from all over the globe, wherever they are, turn towards the Forbidden Mosque to say a prayer.
Prophet's Mosque, Medina, Saudi Arabia
The second most important shrine in Islam after Mecca. Masjid al-Nabawi is also second in size only to the Forbidden Mosque. The construction of the mosque began in 622, the direct participation of the Prophet Muhammad took part in it. Over time, the mosque was reconstructed and improved. Now the territory of the mosque is spread over 400500 sq. meters, 10 minarets every 105 meters high. The mosque of the prophet is capable of receiving about 700 thousand believers at the same time, during the pilgrimage (hajj), this figure reaches 1 million pilgrims. Under the Dome of the Prophet in Medina, the remains of the Prophet Muhammad are buried.
Faisal Mosque, Islamabad, Pakistan
Faisal Mosque, the largest temple in Pakistan, was built in 1986. Named after the ruler of Saudi Arabia at that time, Faisal ibn Abdul-Aziz, who was the initiator and sponsor of the construction of this temple of God in Pakistan. The Faisal Mosque stands out for its architecture, which from the outside looks more like a Bedouin tent than a traditional mosque. The total area of the territory is 19 hectares, and the area of the mosque 5000 sq. meters. 4 minarets 90 meters high rise above the temple. At any time, the mosque is ready to receive up to 300,000 guests. Faisal Mosque is the national mosque of Pakistan.
Independence Mosque, Jakarta, Indonesia
The Istiklal Mosque is the largest in its region, built in honor of the independence of Indonesia from the Netherlands. The construction of this architectural giant took 17 years and was completed in 1978. The main materials used in the construction of the mosque were marble and stainless steel. The total area of the territory is 10 hectares. A huge dome with a diameter of 45 meters rises above the main building of the mosque, and a building with a dome of 10 meters is located nearby. The temple has one minaret, which rises above the mosque at a height of 96.66 meters. The Mosque of Independence is the symbol of Indonesia and is the national mosque of the country.
Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca, Morocco
The Hassan II Mosque is a relatively young building, built in 1993. It can certainly be called national pride and a monument to the Moroccan people. All funds for the construction of the mosque were collected from the donations of the Moroccans. Almost all the resources for construction, with the exception of white granite and huge glass chandeliers, were mined in Morocco. The territory of the temple occupies 9 hectares. Simultaneously 105 thousand people can host a mosque in Casablanca. The Hassan II Mosque is the tallest religious building in the world, the minaret is 210 meters high. The entrance to the mosque is open not only to Muslims, which is a rarity in the Islamic world. Near the mosque there is a wonderful garden, in which 41 fountains miraculously fit.
Badshahi Mosque, Lahore, Pakistan
For a long time, the Badshahi Mosque was the largest temple in Pakistan until the Faisal Mosque was built. The mosque in Lahore was built in 1674. The architectural ensemble of the temple includes a combination of Persian and Islamic culture of ancient times. During its existence, the building of the mosque housed a warehouse, a powder magazine and even barracks for soldiers. It was only after 1856 that the Badshahi Mosque finally became a Muslim temple. 100,000 believers can visit the Badshahi Mosque at the same time. The dimensions of the yard are 159 by 527 meters. Eight minarets and three domes adorn the mosque. The height of the outer minarets is 62 meters. The temple keeps holy relics for Muslims: the turban of the Prophet Muhammad, Fatima's scarves and other valuables. The Badshahi Mosque claims to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, UAE
The youngest of the list of the largest mosques in the world, the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in the UAE bears the name of the country's first president, Sheikh Zayed. The mosque was built relatively recently in 2007. The mosque is ready to receive up to 40 thousand believers. The main hall can accommodate 7,000 people. Next to it are two rooms in which only women can pray. The area of the yard is 17400 sq. meters, it is completely covered with marble slabs. The roof of the temple is decorated with 82 domes and 4 minarets 107 meters high. The entire floor area is covered with a huge carpet, which is included in the Guinness Book of Records; its size is amazing 5627 square meters. Also, the Sheikh Zayed Mosque boasts a majestic chandelier, the weight of which is simply frightening 12 tons. Anyone can visit the temple, regardless of religious considerations.
The largest and most important mosque in the world is the majestic Al Haram Mosque, which means “Forbidden Mosque” in Arabic. It is located in the city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Al Haram is the greatest not only in terms of size and capacity, but also in terms of significance in the life of every follower of Islam.
In the courtyard of the mosque is the main shrine of the Muslim world - the Kaaba, where all believers strive to get at least once in their lives. Over the centuries, the building of the mosque was rebuilt and reconstructed many times. So, from the end of the 1980s to the present day, the area of the mosque is 309 thousand square meters, which can accommodate 700 thousand people. The mosque has 9 minarets, 95 m high. In addition to the main 4 gates in Al-Haram, there are 44 more entrances, 7 escalators operate in the buildings, all rooms are equipped with air conditioners. Separate huge halls are reserved for prayers of men and women. It is difficult to imagine something more grandiose.
Shah Faisal MosqueAmong the largest mosques in the world, Shah Faisal in Pakistan holds another record. The mosque has an original architecture and is not exactly like traditional Islamic mosques. Unusualness gives the absence of domes and vaults. So, it resembles a huge tent, spread out among the green hills and forests of Margala Hills. On the outskirts of the city of Islamabad, where one of the largest mosques in the world is located, the Himalayas originate, which organically emphasize this similarity.
Built in 1986, this masterpiece, together with the adjacent territory (5 thousand square meters), can accommodate 300 thousand believers. At the same time, the International University of Islam is located within the walls of the mosque.
Shah Faisal is built of concrete and marble. It is surrounded by four towering minaret pillars, borrowed from classical Turkish architecture. Inside the prayer hall is decorated with mosaics and paintings, and in the center under the ceiling there is a huge luxurious chandelier. The construction of the mosque was spent 120 million dollars.
At first, this project aroused indignation among many parishioners, but after the construction was completed, the grandeur of the building against the enchanting background of the mountains left no doubt.
Mosque "Heart of Chechnya"
The largest mosque in Russia, and at the same time in Europe, the “Heart of Chechnya”, built in 2008 in Grozny, amazes with its beauty. This symphony of architectural complexes with a huge garden and fountains was built using the latest modern technologies. The walls are decorated with traverin, a material that was used for the construction of the Colosseum, and the interior of the temple is decorated with white marble from the island of Marmara Adasi, located in Turkey. The interior decoration of the "Heart of Chechnya" is striking in its richness and magnificence. When painting the walls, special paints and gold of the highest standard were used. Precious chandeliers, of which there are 36 pieces, are stylized as the Shrines of Islam and are assembled from a million bronze parts and the most expensive crystal in the world. Turns the imagination and night lighting of the mosque, emphasizing every detail in the dark.
"Khazret Sultan" The largest mosque in Central Asia is considered to be "Khazret Sultan", located in Astana, a magic that is hard not to appreciate. It is built in the classical Islamic style, traditional Kazakh ornaments are also used. Surrounded by 4 minarets 77 meters high, the mosque can accommodate from 5 to 10 thousand believers. The interior decoration is distinguished by the richness and originality of the elements. Resembling a fairy-tale palace, Khazret Sultan meets all modern requirements.
