Friday 03 / May / 2024
Peace, stability, tolerance. That has always been the way of the Sultanate of Oman, and if there were one building that epitomises this in the country, it would be the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.
Completed in May 2001 and capable of holding up to 20,000 worshippers, the mosque was gifted to the people of Oman by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.
According to the Ministry of Tourism, the mosque is “an architectural masterpiece and Oman’s pride and joy. The mosque is home to the world’s second largest hand-woven carpet as well as one of the largest chandeliers in the world which is decorated with hundreds of Swarovski crystals. The mosque is open to the public from Saturday to Thursday between 8am and 11am and a dress code applies.”
**media[1062398]**
“Quietly imposing from the outside, this glorious piece of modern Islamic architecture was a gift to the nation from Sultan Qaboos to mark his 30th year of reign,” added the ministry. “The main prayer hall is breathtakingly beautiful. The Persian carpet alone measures 70m by 60m wide, making it the second-largest hand-loomed Iranian carpet in the world; it took 600 women four years to weave”.
**media[1062397]**
The Ministry of Tourism went on to say, “The mosque, which can accommodate 20,000 worshippers, including 750 women in a private musalla (prayer hall), is an active place of worship, particularly for Friday prayers. Visitors are required to dress modestly, covering arms and legs and avoiding tight clothing. Women and girls (aged seven and above) must cover their hair. An abaya (full-length dress) and scarf can be hired from the mosque cafe and gift shop and tours are available.”
