Mosques for Your Must-Visit List

Probably the most famous religious monument in the world, Masjid Al-Haram is also known as The Grand Mosque, The Holy Mosque or The Sacred Mosque. It is located in the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia and is the largest mosque in the world. It is believed that the foundation of the Holy Mosque was first raised by Abraham and his son Ishmael. The mosque has undergone several renovations over the years, with significant additions and improvements made by the Saudi kings from 1955 and 1973. Masjid Al-Haram plays a significant part in a Muslim’s life and is the focal part for the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages. Almost 5 million Muslims visit the holy monument every year. Some of the key symbolic structure at Masjid Al-Haram include the Kaaba, the ZamZam Well, the Black Stone and Maqām Ibrahim. The Masjid Al-Haram today represents the most original and truest forms of traditional Islamic architecture.

The 18th Century Blue Mosque is located in Yerevan, Armenia and is a historical landmark in the area. Even though the mosque was closed down during the Soviet Era, the Blue Mosque underwent a complete restoration in the 1990s. Despite the fact that the Blue Mosque of Yerevan does not contain traditional Islamic architecture, the style leans towards a more Persian form of design. The interiors are simple and portray a minimalist approach to design with intricate tiling on the outside. The mosque premises feature a library, central prayer hall and impeccably designed courtyard with fountains and flowerbeds.

One of the largest and holiest mosques in the Islamic world, Masjid an-Nabawi was originally constructed by Prophet Muhammad himself and contains his tomb. Located in Madina, the mosque is held in high regard by Muslims all over the world and is sometimes referred to as the Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) Mosque. Located at the gateway to Hotel Pullman Zamzam Madina, one of the 5-star luxury hotels in Madina, the mosque is open to Muslims worshipers only. When it was constructed, the original structure used to be an open-air building with facilities to read the Quran, and served as a community centre, a school and a court. The mosque was later extensively refurbished by Prophet Muhammad’s successors (caliphs) and subsequent Saudi rulers.

When it first opened in 1913, Saint Petersburg Mosque was the largest mosque in Europe outside of Turkey. The mosque is located in St Petersburg and can accommodate up to five thousand worshippers. The minarets at St Petersburg Mosque are 49m in height and the entire façade of the building is made from oriental ornaments and turquoise blue mosaic. The mosque is decorated with traditional Arabic calligraphy with phrases from the Quran. Worshippers are separated by gender in the mosque, with women on the first floor and male worshippers on the ground floor. Even though the mosque was closed during the turbulent times of the Second World War, it is open today for all Muslim worshipers. 

Located in the capital city of Abu Dhabi, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque was built by the late president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan. It is the central place of worship in the UAE, and is visited by worshipers as well as visitors throughout the year. The mosque has a unique mix of traditional and contemporary Islamic designs and motifs, with natural materials like gold, marble, ceramic and crystals used all over its façade. Key highlights at the Sheikh Zayed Mosque include – the 99 names of God featured on the wall of the central prayer room, seven imported chandeliers, reflecting pools that surround the structure and a fully integrated lighting system that changes according to the phases of the moon.

One of the oldest mosques in Malaysia, Zahir Mosque or Masjid Zahir, was built in 1912. The Mosque is also fondly known as Masjid Raja due to its prominent location close to Istana Pelamin in Alor Setar. The Mosque also serves as a burial site of Kedah warriors from the war in 1821. Zahir Mosque consists of five large iconic black domes that signify the five pillars of Islam. An event not to be missed here is the annual Quran recitation competition, which draws participants from across the country.

Al Fateh Mosque is the largest place of worship in Bahrain and also one of the largest mosques in the world. The Mosque was built in 1894, with Italian marble, Indian teak wood doors, and glass chandeliers from Austria. The mosque is named after Ahmed Al Fateh, the founder of Bahrain and the first monarch of the island. The mosque is known for its extensive on-site library at the Ahmed Al-Fateh Islamic Centre that houses almost 7000 books, some dating back a hundred years. The mosque appeals to many visitors and tourists and encourages non-Muslim guests to visit as well. Guided tours are available throughout the week, except on Fridays, in a variety of languages.