These Mosques in Oman Are an Architectural Wonder

There are several mosques named after Sultan Qaboos, who is the current leader of Oman. They are built in almost every governorate in Oman and are named after him to show the love, respect and appreciation for all the great achievements and prosperity he has brought to Oman since he held the office in 1970. The most famous Sultan Qaboos mosque is the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Bausher in the capital city of Muscat. It was built in 2001, after almost seven years of work. The mosque lies on a space of 416,ooo-square meters, which can take up to 20,000 worshippers. It has one main dome, one 90-meter long (295.3 feet) minaret, and another four minarets that are 45.5-meters long (149.3 feet).

Beside its breathtaking construction features, the mosque‘s interior has its own beauty. The central chandelier of the mosque is made from Swarovski Crystal and is 14-meters (45.9 feet) tall. Moreover, the mosque‘s floor is covered in a unique Persian rug that is considered to be the second largest in the world. It was made in four years, bringing together 1.7 billion knots of 28 different colors, using classical Persian design traditions like: Tabriz, Kashan and Isfahan.

Mazoon Mosque or Maizoon Mosque was named after the mother of Sultan Qaboos, Sayyidah Maizoon bint Ahmed bin Ali Al-Maashani. It is located in the city of Mawalih in the capital city of Muscat and was built in 2006. The mosque has one dome and two minarets. It has a very simple and basic look, with spectacular arches, and Islamic architectural shapes and design. Nevertheless, its interior is filled with uniquely-complicated calligraphy engravings, breathtaking lamps and beautifully-inscribed wooden doors.

Al Zulfa Mosque was founded in 1992 in Al Seeb in the capital city of Muscat. It is also known as the “Royal Guards of Oman Mosque”. Al Zulfa Mosque is famous for its unique geometrical shapes of its building as well as in the designs of its floor. It has over 20 domes which are all colored in green and gold. Another breathtaking characteristic in the mosque is that it features colorful glass art.

The Islamic designs, colors and shapes on its ceiling is also another mind-blowing architectural beauty. There is Arabic calligraphy painted on its doors and windows, and the walls are painted in bright colors.

Al Khor Mosque used to be known as Masjid Al Shuhadaa (the Mosque of the Martyrs) because it held lots of funerals of Omanis who died fighting the Portuguese out of the Omani lands. It is also called the “Family Mosque” as several senior members of the Royal Family pray in it.

Al Khor Mosque has two marginalized blue-colored domes. Its walls are mostly made of tinted glass, along with tiles that are white marble, brown and blue. Furthermore, they are decorated with golden scripts from the Qur’an. Inside the mosque, the ceiling is covered with blue and white colored tiles that have the 99 names of God, written in golden-colored Arabic calligraphy. In the center of the ceiling, there is a splendid crystal chandelier.

Mohamed Al Ameen Mosque was built in 2014 in Bausher, Muscat. It is also called Bahwan Mosque or Bausher Mosque. It is around 20,300-square meters which fits about 2,100 worshippers. The mosque can be seen from any highway that is going to Muscat, especially at night because of the unique golden-colored and lighted domes, and the blue lights surrounding the mosque.

Said Bin Taimur Mosque was built in 1999 in Al Khuwair city, in the memory of the father of Sultan Qaboos – Sultan Said Bin Taimur. It’s designed to imitate the unique Ott Oman styles of two famous Turkish Mosques: Sultanahmet Mosque and the Hagia Sofia Mosque.

The mosque has two domes that are copper-colored and two minarets that are 50-meters (164 feet) tall. Inside the Mosque, the walls are painted in pink, turquoise, and cream, which are uncommon in most of the Mosques in Oman. They are also decorated in Islamic shapes and designs with golden Arabic calligraphy. The main hall of the mosque has several small tinted-glass windows, which stream some natural light during the day. Moreover, there are two rows of chandeliers on the side of the mosques’ columns, as well as a central chandelier.

Asma Bint Alawi Mosque is built in Al Qurum in the capital city of Muscat. Its design was inspired by Moroccan architectural styles. It features a central colorful and decorated dome, as well as a clock tower as its minaret. The mosque also has a central fountain in its courtyard, and maze-shaped flower basins.

Moreover, the floor of the mosque is covered in colorful tiles that are placed in unique shapes. There are also the several gates of the mosques that have spectacularly engraved arches, and some Arabic calligraphy.

Al Zawawi Mosque was built in Al Khuwair in 1985. It was built by Al Zawawi tribe to honor the members of their family. The mosque features a central golden dome and minaret. It has several entrances with triangular-shaped arches and wooden doors. Unlike other Mosques, Al Zawawi has the text of the whole Qur’an inscribed on metallic plates that are hanging on the walls inside the mosque.

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