Splendid Mosques Dominate Muscat Skyline
The mosques provide a great opportunity to explore Muscat from a cultural, historic and architectural aspect.
Many of the mosques listed below are also some of the world’s most costly structures of worship that cost hundreds of millions of dollars. Some of these mosques are also open to non-Muslims to enter and explore free of charge.
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is one of the most gorgeous mosques ever built. It is located in Bawshar on the Sultan Qaboos Highway. Its handmade Persian rug and Swarovski crystal chandelier are considered to be the largest in the world.
The Grand Mosque is open to non-Muslims between 8am to 11am from Saturday to Thursday.
Sultan Said Bin Taimur Mosque, built in the memory of the father of Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, is located in Al Khuwair. Built in the style of Ottoman mosques found in Turkey, it features a breathtaking blend of colours and calligraphy. This mosque is not open to non-Muslims.
Al Zawawi Mosque in Al Khuwair, which was opened in 1985, was built by the Al Zawawi family in the memory one of their family members. One of the most extraordinary features of this mosque is that the whole text of the Holy Quran is inscribed on metallic plates found on the interior walls of the mosque. It is not open for non-Muslims.
Mohammed Al Ameen Mosque is another very beautiful and striking structure. The mosque, commonly known as the Bahwan Mosque, is built on a high elevation in Bowshar. Its minarets and domes have intricate filigree-type work all over which look absolutely breathtaking, when the mosque is lit up after dark, The carpet of this mosque cost more than $4 million.
Other outstanding mosques in the city include the Sultan Taimur Bin Faisal Mosque, built in memory of the grandfather of Sultan Qaboos, located in Mabelah North; the Al Zulfa Mosque
in Seeb commonly known as the Royal Guards of Oman Mosque, first opened in the year 1992, the mosque features more than 20 domes; the Mosque of the Great Prophet in Muttrah, the principal mosque for the Lawati tribe and originally built in the 15th century, the Sayyidah Maizoon Bint Ahmed Mosque, built in memory of the mother of Sultan Qaboos Al Said.
Other mosques include the Maizoon Mosque, located in Al Mawaleh, the Talib Bin Mohammed Mosque, one of the most unique mosques in Muscat located in Muttrah, and the Al Khor Mosque located behind the Al Alam Palace and Al Mirani Fort in Old Muscat, and built in the late 19th century.
Source: omantribune.com
