5 World's Most Beautiful Mosques; Mecca's Masjid Al Haram Takes Lead

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Mosques are revered as houses of worship for Muslims and often stand as beautiful, magnificent architectural marvels. Countless mosques worldwide inspire awe with their splendor.

One of them is the Grand Mosque in Mecca or Masjid Al Haram, which holds a special place in the hearts of Muslims around the globe.

As reported by Best Diplomat, here is a list of the top 5 world’s most beautiful mosques:

1. Masjid Al-Haram, Saudi Arabia

Masjid Al-Haram, also known as Grand Mosque, is one of the world’s most honored Islamic landmarks in the world. Being the world's oldest mosque, it is extremely important spiritually to Muslims.

It is the center of the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages and is home to the Kaaba, which is the Muslim global center of worship.

All sites of great significance in Islamic tradition, including the Zamzam Well, the Tomb of Ibrahim, and the hills of Safa and Marwa, are located within the mosque’s complex. The Grand Mosque, which can hold more than four million worshipers, is evidence of Islam's influence around the world.

2. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, United Arab Emirates

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) takes the second spot for its exquisite design. The mosque, which can hold more than 40,000 worshipers, is a magnificent fusion of Islamic architectural features.

The mosque is a visual marvel, with 1,096 pillars, 82 shining white domes, and chandeliers made of Swarovski crystal. The tranquil beauty of a central pool reflecting the mosque's design at night contrasts with the intricate hand-woven carpets, which are included in the Guinness Book of World Records. 

The mosque has stunning calligraphy that encourages peace and is embellished with stones like jasper and amethyst.

3. Hagia Sophia Mosque, Turkiye

The Hagia Sophia in Turkiye stands as a powerful symbol of peace. Originally constructed as a Christian church, it saw a major transformation into a mosque during the Ottoman Empire in 1453.

The Hagia Sophia is now a fascinating example of Christian and Islamic architecture. Its interior showcases stunning mosaics from the Byzantine era alongside Islamic inscriptions and architectural elements. It serves as a symbol of tolerance and a bridge between other faiths because of the distinctive confluence of styles.

4. Badshahi Mosque, Pakistan

The Badshahi Mosque, or Emperor's Mosque, in Lahore, Pakistan, is a stunning architectural marvel. Constructed in 1673 by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, it was formerly the biggest mosque in the world, able to house 50,000 worshipers. Today, it can still accommodate approximately 55,000 people.

The Badshahi Mosque is a magnificent example of Mughal architecture and a reminder of the era's grandeur. Situated across from the Lahore Fort, these two iconic landmarks have jointly held the status of national symbols since Pakistan's independence in 1947. The mosque's grandeur and historical significance make it a must-visit for any traveler to Lahore.

5. Nasir-al-Mulk Mosque, Iran

The Nasir-al-Mulk Mosque in Iran completes the list of the top 5 of the world’s most beautiful mosques. Constructed during the Qajar era in the 19th century by order of Mirza Hasan Ali Nasir, the mosque is renowned for its exquisite interior.

Its most outstanding feature is its elaborate lighting system, which bathes the mosque in a kaleidoscope of colors. The mosque is often referred to as the "Pink Mosque" due to the predominance of pink tiles in its decor. A calm, rectangular pool surrounded by colorful flowers contributes to the mosque's serene ambiance.

HERZANINDYA MAULIANTI

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