The Gift Of The Sultan

The Gift Of The Sultan

The Sultan Qaboos Mosque was a gift from Sultan Qaboos to the people of Oman.

In honor of his 30-year reign in the early 1990s, the sultan ordered the construction of a mosque larger than any other mosque in Oman. Since 2001, the sparkling result can be seen along the road leading to the heart of Muscat; during the day it shines in the bright sun, in the evening it is beautifully lit.

In 1993, Sultan Qaboos announced a competition for the design of the mosque. Architect Mohammed Saleh Makiya's ingenious design was the big winner and construction of the Sultan Qaboos Mosque started in 1995. It took 6 years and the gigantic mosque, the largest in Oman, was inaugurated in 2001.

Magical Interior The Sultan Qaboos Mosque has many superlatives. It took about 300,000 tons of Indian sandstone to build and the large prayer hall is truly spectacular. The Persian rug measures 70 by 60 meters, making it the second largest hand-woven rug in the world. Up to 600 women worked 4 years to make the 1.7 million knots.

The carpet is largely colored with traditional vegetable dyes and the same pattern can be found in the beautiful marble and mosaic ceiling. A huge chandelier made of Swarovski crystals hangs from the large dome of the prayer room. The 14meter-high colossus consists of 1122 lights that cast magical light over the dome at night.

Symbolic Exterior The mosque is equally impressive from the outside. The design is a mix of modern architecture and traditional Islamic style elements. The complex is located on a raised platform; according to the Omani tradition, mosques are always built just above street level. On each corner is a minaret with a 5th minaret in the center of the complex: together they symbolize the 5 core values of Islam.

Useful information The Sultan Qaboos Mosque is the only mosque in Oman open to non-Muslims.

You can visit the mosque every morning except Friday. Of course you have to dress appropriately: women should cover their heads as well as their knees and shoulders. Children under 10 are not allowed in the main prayer room.

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