Mosques are a universal symbol of Muslim devotion. Having existed for more than a millennium already, they are where Islamic worships, weekly sermons, exchanges of holistic ideas and inspirations, and marriage solemnization take place. During Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha, people would gather at their nearest mosque to pray, celebrate, and reflect together. A mosque can even temporarily house the homeless and underprivileged should they need shelter direly. Without a doubt, mosques are integral to community living, which is why many architects go out of their way to build beautiful ones. With this in mind, we would like to express our gratitude towards the existence of these buildings.

The following seven mosques

found in various parts of the world, have made it to Fayyaz Travels’ list of the most beautiful mosques to ever exist.

1.Nusrat Djahan Mosque in Copenhagen, Denmark

Image source

What a rare sight the Nusrat Djahan Mosque makes, what with its futuristic dome and sleek exterior! Located on the outskirts of Copenhagen, the mosque is Denmark’s first mosque. Built in 1967, it caters to the small Danish Muslim community which mostly practices Islam’s Ahmadiyya faith and accounts for approximately four percent of the nation’s total population.

2.Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Image source

What is the United Arab Emirates (UAE) without its plethora of beautiful mosques? Though there are many that warm the heart and bedazzle the eyes, none can be said to possess the status quite like that of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Located in Abu Dhabi, the mosque comprises of 82 domes, 1,000 columns, and a seemingly endless array of waterbeds that reflect the blue of the sky on sunny days. What’s more: Sheikh Zayed also houses a breathtaking 12-tonne crystal chandelier as well as the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet woven to perfection by a whopping 12,000 artisans.

3.Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque in Isfahan, Iran

Image source

The Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque in Isfahan is considered to be one of Iran’s most beautiful architectural masterpieces, and for good reason. Built during the reign of the Safavid Empire in 1603, its aesthetics was designed to subtly resemble the beauty and colours of a peacock. That said, the mosque’s greatest feature is surely its dome, whose arabesque patterns guide one’s gaze upwards into beautiful, geometric endlessness.

4.Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, Morocco

Image source

The Hassan II Mosque is so big, it registers not only as the largest one in Morocco but also the seventh largest in the world! Nestled on the Atlantic shoreline, the mosque is also known for boasting the world’s tallest minarets, each standing at an astounding height of 210 meters and coming equipped with a laser light that beams in Mecca’s direction at night. Hassan II’s interior, meanwhile, is outlined by smooth marble walls that instantly catch one’s awe. The mosque’s beauty is cinched with its glass floor, which allows one to take in the beauty of the seabed below in its main hall.

5.The Crystal Mosque in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia

Image source

Built between 2006 and 2008, the Crystal Mosque in Terengganu, Malaysia, is all steel, glass, and crystals. Where it is relatively small in space (it caters up to a maximum of 1,500 visitors at a time) it certainly makes up for with its breathtaking aesthetics. The mosque is located in the vast Islamic Civilisation Park, which also hosts 22 replicas of the world’s most iconic Islamic monuments.

6.The Great Mosque of Cordoba in Cordoba, Spain

Image source

Considered one of the best displays of superior Moorish architecture, this Spanish mosque first served as a 6th-century church in its earliest days. It was only when the Islamic empire took over Spain in the 8th century that half of the site was converted into a mosque for Muslim settlers; its other half remained a church. The co-sharing between Muslims and Christians lasted until the 16th century when invading Visigoths converted it back to a Roman Catholic church. But its Islamic identity sticks to this day; it is revered as an Islamic relic not to be missed by those pit-stopping in Cordoba.

7.The Great Mosque of Xi’An in Shaanxi, China

Image source

The Great Mosque of Xi’An is considered one of China’s most precious treasures. Founded in 742, it is the oldest mosque in the country, which is probably why it is the most known one, too. While many mosques in non-Arab countries tend to retain Middle Eastern influences in their designs, this mosque is uniquely and originally Chinese in looks which is probably why it is highly revered. While the mosque is mostly used as a place of worship for Chinese Muslims, it is also a very popular tourist destination that you should not miss should you ever find yourself in Shaanxi.
Feeling your heart pulled to see any of these mosques with your own eyes? Let our agents at Fayyaz Travels know so we can help plan a customised travel itinerary around your spiritual pitstop!