The largest mosque in the CIS. The three largest mosques in the world
Mosques are places where Muslims gather to perform prayers. They often amaze not only with their beauty and decoration, but also with their size, because they must accommodate a huge number of believers.
World's Largest Mosque: Revised Leader
In third place in terms of capacity is the Shah Faisal Mosque. She is located in Islamabad, Pakistan. The construction of the temple was sponsored by Saudi Arabia, which is why it was named after the King of Saudi Arabia at that time, Faisal. 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 the sixth largest mosque in the world. However, experts took into account the capacity of the surrounding area for 100 thousand people, as well as the courtyard and prayer hall, which is another 200 thousand people. The new figures helped propel the mosque to 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 at 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 Arabia expressed his desire to build a mosque back in 1966, and three years later projects were prepared for the competition. Construction of the temple itself began in 1976 and was 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 modern 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 unlike any other in the world.
Shah Faisal is able to evoke contradictory associations, that is, she is able to keep the visitor in admiration and amazement. This is because the mosque looks like the 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 the mosque in Istanbul. And this is the only thing that the architect from Turkey Vedat Dalokay took from his people and carried to Pakistani soil (the mosque was built according to his design).
And finally, information about what the mosque was built from: concrete and marble. There is an incredible number of straight lines for a Muslim sanctuary and a beautiful golden ball-chandelier. At night it looks enchanting, under the light of lights and illuminations.
Second largest mosque in the world
This is the Prophet's Mosque, which is located in Saudi Arabia, but in Medina, not in Mecca. The Prophet's Mosque is the second holiest shrine of Islam. The temple stood in Medina during the earthly life of the Prophet Muhamad. Subsequently, he, as well as the righteous caliphs Abu Bakr and Umar, were buried here. The Prophet's grave 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 Hijra, and later it was rebuilt many times and expanded. Now the capacity of the Prophet's Mosque is 600 thousand people. The territory of the sanctuary is approximately 400-500 square meters. But it is believed that during the Hajj it can 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 until they found housing for themselves. It is believed that between 70 and 100 Ashabs lived on the veranda.
One of the largest mosques is the Prophet's Mosque
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 it witnessed. The architecture of the entire ensemble has a classical style. And it was from this mosque that the main architectural features were adopted in other mosques in the world. In front of the temple there is a classic rectangular square, where believers pray, gather for meetings, legal disputes and classes.
The largest mosque in the world: the heart of the Islamic world
One of the most important Muslim shrines, the Mosque al-Haram in Mecca, houses 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 to enter 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. As the number of pilgrims constantly increased, there was a need to increase the capacity of the sanctuary. The last time construction took place on the territory of the largest mosque in the world was in 1980. Then one building of impressive size and two minarets were added.
The number of minarets in the Haram Beit Ullah grew in proportion to the mosque. And now there are nine of them. They are ninety-five meters in height. Well, the area of the entire structure is currently 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’s hard to imagine, but up to 700 thousand people can enter the mosque for one prayer.
Well, those who do not have enough space in the chapels on three floors can pray on the roof of the building, which has long been specially decorated with marble slabs. By the way, prayer rooms are even located in the basements, but they are opened only on days of special influx of visitors. To make believers feel comfortable, the building of the largest mosque in the world is equipped with air conditioning, escalators, and 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.
For Muslims, a mosque is not only a place for prayer and worship, it is also a meeting place with God. In addition, mosques play an important role in the social and aesthetic life of a society. And the luxurious temple buildings only confirm the greatness of the Muslim religion. Amazingly beautiful and extraordinary in their architecture and history, these buildings have long become a favorite tourist attraction. And it doesn’t matter at all whether you are a Christian or a Muslim, a Buddhist or a Catholic - it is impossible not to admire these buildings. The most beautiful mosques in the world are in this article.
Most most
Every person has his own opinion, as the famous proverb says. So it is 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 been growing. There are about 4 million mosques in the world, 140 of them are in New York, there are 70 in Beijing, 4 in Moscow, and 100 mosques in London. The world of the most beautiful and amazing mosques according to the rating of the Timeturk portal, for example, was topped by the mosque (Kazan). Although, according to Russian publications, she is not the most beautiful in Russia. In second place and third place are the buildings of Malaysia - the Crystal Mosque in Kuala Terengganu and the Putra Mosque. Of the 50 similar structures in the rating, seven are located 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, otherwise called the Forbidden Mosque, is the custodian of the main Muslim relic - the Kaaba or the Stone of Forgiveness (a 15-meter cube in the courtyard, inside of which there is a black stone). This structure can accommodate up to 2.5 million people during the Hajj, and is also 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 according to the cardinal points.
600 thousand - and the very best
This is exactly how much money was spent on the construction of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in the capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi. Built in 2007 and named after the country's first president, Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan, it is one of the temple buildings where everyone is allowed, not just Muslims. Moreover, excursions are free for both Muslims and representatives of other faiths. And there is something to see - this is the prayer hall with 1096 columns of white marble, and panels decorated with precious stones, and floral mosaics. It can confidently be 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 this anywhere else. Huge pools, illuminated at night, create mystical beauty and amaze with their splendor.
The most beautiful of the oldest mosques
Built in the 8th century by ruler Al-Walid in 6 years, the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus is considered the largest and most beautiful mosque of antiquity. Its architecture has a noticeable Roman influence. And it’s not surprising, because nearby is the temple of Roman legionnaires.
The Prophet's Mosque in Medina, founded by the Prophet Muhammad himself and built in 622, also competes for primacy in this category.
Crystal Mosque - a miracle of miracles
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 glows 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 the Sultan Trengganu Mizan Zain al-Abidin, its highest part is at an altitude 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 most beautiful piece of Muslim architecture in Europe. This modern mosque with its own television and radio studio can accommodate up to 10 thousand believers.
Another magnificent example is the St. Petersburg one, which opened in 1913 and coincided with the tercentenary of the Romanov dynasty. Samarkand and Cairo architecture with ceramics of an unusual blue hue, 48-meter minarets and 39-meter domes, it has long been considered the largest in Europe.
10 most beautiful mosques in the world: ranking of online surveys
Most online resources offer the following ten most beautiful buildings in this category:
During World War II, it was the mosque in Paris that became a refuge for Jews and saved hundreds of lives.
In 2001, Pope Paul II visited the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, prayed there 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 the 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.
Let's sum it up
For every believer, their temple will always remain the most beautiful and dear. Having looked at the wonders of architecture and decoration of Islamic temple buildings, many of which are rightfully included in the UNESCO list of architectural heritage, I would like to believe that differences in architectural styles will not prevent people of different beliefs 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 effort, 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 preserving peace and unity.
1. Sacred Mosque (Masjid al-Haram) in Mecca
4. Independence Mosque (Masjid Istiqlal) in Jakarta
The Indonesian Independence Mosque or Istiqlal Mosque 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. 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 amazes not only with its enormous size, but also with its beauty. Directly from the huge glass hall of the building there is a magnificent view of the Atlantic Ocean. Let us note that the mosque can accommodate 105 thousand people. The area of the temple is about 9 hectares. Interesting fact: all 800 million dollars spent on the construction of the mosque were voluntary donations.
6. Badshahi Mosque in Lahore
The Badshahi Mosque was built in the mid-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 overlooks the old city. The dimensions of the mosque's courtyard are 159 × 527 m. The mosque has eight minarets: four in the corners of the prayer hall and the same number in the corners of the wall surrounding the mosque. The height of the external minarets is 62 meters. The main entrance opens into a vast brick-paved courtyard that can accommodate up to 60,000 worshipers
7. Al-Saleh Mosque in Sana'a
Al-Saleh Mosque is the main and largest mosque in the capital of Yemen - Sana'a. The temple was erected by order of the first president of the country, Ali Abdullah Saleh, mostly with his personal money (about 60 million dollars), and bears his name. The mosque is incredibly beautiful - six minarets, each 100 meters high, visible from all over the city, richly decorated domes, a combination of different types of stones, including black basalt and red, white and black limestone, and 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 thousand worshipers.
8. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi
The Sheikh Zayed Grand 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 amazes with its interior decoration: colored marble and semi-precious stones were used to decorate the buildings. In addition, it houses the largest and most luxurious chandelier in the world. Square
The Muslim world is very interesting and mysterious for the European man in the street. 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. Holy places for Muslims are mosques, where they can be alone with Allah and talk to him about the most secret things. 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 treasure of Islam. The first mention of the mosque dates back to 638; the temple has existed in its modern form since 1570. Throughout this time, it has been reconstructed and enlarged to accommodate everyone who wants to visit this holy place. It is accepted in Islam that every believer must make a pilgrimage to the holy land of Mecca.
The structure 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 enter the building without crowding. Up to 1 million people can be in it at the same time, and with the surrounding territories up to 3.5-4 million pilgrims. This 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. In terms of size, Masjid an-Nabawi is also second only to the Forbidden Mosque. The construction of the mosque began in 622, with the Prophet Muhammad directly involved in it. Over time, the mosque was reconstructed and improved. Now the territory of the mosque stretches over 400500 sq. meters, 10 minarets every 105 meters high. The Prophet's Mosque can accommodate 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 lie the remains of the Prophet Muhammad.
Faisal Mosque, Islamabad, Pakistan
Faisal Mosque, the largest temple in Pakistan, was built in 1986. Named in honor of 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 thousand guests. Faisal Mosque is the national mosque of Pakistan.
Independence Mosque, Jakarta, Indonesia
The Istiqlal Mosque is the largest in its region, built in honor of Indonesia's independence from Holland. 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 next to it there is a building with a dome of 10 meters. The temple has one minaret, which rises above the mosque at an altitude of 96.66 meters. The Independence Mosque is the symbol of Indonesia and is the country's national mosque.
Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca, Morocco
The Hassan II Mosque is a relatively young building, built in 1993. It can confidently be called national pride and a monument to the Moroccan people. All funds for the construction of the mosque were collected through donations from 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 could host a mosque in Casablanca. The Hassan II Mosque is the tallest religious building in the world, the height of the minaret is 210 meters. 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, into 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 back in 1674. The architectural ensemble of the temple includes a combination of Persian and Islamic culture of ancient times. During its existence, the mosque building 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 thousand believers can simultaneously visit the Badshahi Mosque. The yard dimensions are equal 159 by 527 meters. Eight minarets and three domes adorn the mosque. The height of the external minarets is 62 meters. The temple houses holy relics for Muslims: the turban of the Prophet Muhammad, Fatima's scarves and other valuables. The Badshahi Mosque is vying for inclusion 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 is named after the country's first president, Sheikh Zayed. The mosque was erected relatively recently in 2007. The mosque is ready to receive up to 40 thousand believers. The main hall seats 7 thousand people. Next to it there are two rooms in which only women can pray. The yard area is 17,400 sq. m. meters, it is completely covered with marble slabs. The roof of the temple is decorated with 82 domes and 4 minarets with a height of 107 meters. The entire floor area is covered with a huge carpet, which is included in the Guinness Book of Records; its size is an 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 reasons.
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 size and capacity, but also in significance in the life of every follower of Islam.
In the courtyard of the mosque there is the main shrine of the Muslim world - the Kaaba, where all believers strive to go at least once in their lives. Over the centuries, the mosque building has been rebuilt and reconstructed many times. So, from the late 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 to Al-Haram, there are 44 more entrances, there are 7 escalators in the buildings, all rooms are equipped with air conditioning. Separate huge halls are reserved for prayers for men and women. It's hard to imagine something more grandiose.
Shah Faisal MosqueAmong the largest mosques in the world, another record place is occupied by Shah Faisal in Pakistan. The mosque has original architecture and is not quite similar to traditional Islamic mosques. What makes it unusual is the absence of domes and vaults. Thus, it resembles a huge tent spread 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 pillars-minarets, 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. 120 million dollars were spent on the creation of the mosque.
At first, this project caused indignation among many parishioners, but after construction was completed, the grandeur of the building against the enchanting backdrop 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, is stunning in 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 traverine, 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” amazes with its richness and splendor. 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 Holy Places of Islam and are assembled from a million bronze parts and the most expensive crystal in the world. The night lighting of the mosque also turns the imagination around, emphasizing every detail of it in the dark.
"Hazret Sultan" The largest mosque in Central Asia is rightfully considered “Hazret Sultan”, located in Astana, a magic that is difficult not to appreciate. It was built in the classical Islamic style, and traditional Kazakh ornaments were also used. Surrounded by 4 minarets 77 m high, the mosque can accommodate from 5 to 10 thousand believers. The interior decoration is distinguished by its richness and uniqueness of elements. Similar to a fairy-tale palace, “Hazret Sultan” meets all modern requirements.
