Top 10 Masjids Around The World

Compiled By: S.A.Shah

A masjid is a place where people are spiritually connected. Offering prayers (Fajr, Zohr, Asr, Maghreb & Isha) together for 5 times a day. Masjids role is not only limited to prayers (Namaz) but they are places where people are connected with each other thus resulting in solution of problems for each others. Masjids often arrange speeches on different topics needed for the people. Almost every masjid has a madarsa (School) connected to it so that people can learn & study Quran. Some masjids are also arranging certification courses for people whom want to learn. Often the architecture is mesmerizing, proving to be one of the best piece of creative & engineered work.

There are many beautiful & huge masjids around the globe. Top ten out of them are here:

Location: Lahore Pakistan
Capacity: 70,000 People
Designed by Nayyar Ali Dada, inaugurated on October 6^th 2014 on occasion of Eid al-Adha and influenced architecture style from Badshahi Masjid, Wazir Khan Mosque and Sheikh Zayed Mosque. The building structure has four minarets (165 ft. tall each) a grand dome surrounded by 20 smaller domes.

It also has an Islamic heritage museum displaying rare Quranic collections, an Islamic library and also an Islamic art gallery with various antique artifacts.

Location: Lahore Pakistan
Capacity: 100,000 People
A beautiful construction by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, constructed between 1671-1673 was the largest mosque in the world from 1673 to 1986. The exterior is decorated with carved red sandstone with marble inlay. It is one of most iconic sites of Pakistan.

All four corners have an octagonal minarets those are three-storied, 196 ft. tall, made of red sandstone and topped by a marble canopy.

Location: Casablanca Morocco
Capacity: 105,000 People
The blend of Islamic architecture with Moroccan element was completed in 1993 designed by Michel Pinseau under the guidance of King Hassan II and built by Moroccan artisans from all over the kingdom. The minaret is the world’s second tallest minaret at 689 ft., 60 stories high, installed with laser light at the top that directs towards Makkah. It stands on a promontory looking out to the Atlantic Ocean, worshippers can pray over the sea with hand crafted marbled walls retractable roof.

It also consists of a madrasa & a museum for Moroccan art & history.

Location: Jakarta Indonesia
Capacity: 200,000 People
Named to celebrate Indonesian independence (Istiqlal; Arabic meaning for Independence). This national mosque of Indonesia was opened to the public on 22 February 1978. The foundation stone was laid by Sukarno on 24 August 1961; the construction took 17 years. It has seven entrances, named after Asma-ul-Husna as (Main gates) Al Fattah, Ar Razzaq, As Salam, (Other gates) Al Quddus, Al Malik, Al Ghaffar, Ar Rehman.

The building has two connected rectangular structures, the main structure and the smaller secondary structure that servers as main gate.

Location: Islamabad Pakistan
Covered Area: 130,000 square meters
Capacity: 300,000 People
The national masjid of Pakistan named after the late King Faisal of Saudi Arabia. The building features a contemporary design consisting of eight concrete shell sides. A major tourist attraction in Pakistan, construction began in 1976. The remarkable design by a Turkish architect Vedat Dalokay, without a usual circular dome is surrounded by four 260 ft. minarets.

It is located on an elevated area of land against a photogenic backdrop of the national park.

Location: Mathura India
Covered Area: 35,000 square meters
Capacity: 300,000 People
Also known as the Mosque of Aurangzeb, built in 1669.

Location: Palestine
Covered Area: 150,000 square meters
Capacity: 400,000 People
Al-Aqsa, the first Qibla (The direction for Salah/Namaz) of Islam holds a very special place in the hearts of Muslims. It is also related with the journey of Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him) known as Mairaaj and where he (Peace be upon him) lead the prayers for all the Prophets. The beautiful historic infrastructure is associated with many Prophets of Islam.

Location: Karachi Pakistan
Covered Area: 200,000 square meters
Capacity: 950,000 People

Designed by Nayyer Ali Dada from Pakistan, a blend of Islamic and Mughal architectures. Its an under construction cultural complex includes a 325 ft. single-monument minaret, around 150 domes.

Once completed the courtyard will have automated umbrellas similar in design to the ones in Masjid An Nabawi to protect the worshippers from the sun and an Islamic Community Center comprising a Central Library.

Location: Madina KSA
Covered Area: 384,000 square meters
Capacity: 1,500,000 People
The peaceful & eye soothing site was built by Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) shortly after the migration from Makkah to Madina. Originally was a small masjid built from mud bricks & palm fronds; by the passage of time several expansions occurred. It’s the second holiest place in the world for Muslims. The grave of Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) and his faithful companions Abu Bakr & Umar Ibn-e-Khattab (R.A) are also located with.

The magnificent art work and engineered structure often recognized by the big green dome and has a very special place inn Muslim history.

Location: Makkah KSA
Covered Area: 356,000 square meters
Capacity: 2.5 Million People
The most important place for Muslims around the globe, the Qibla (The direction for Salah/Namaz), the place for Hajj & Umrah is the largest Masjid in the world. Since early ages it has its significance & relation with Prophets (Peace be upon them) of Islam.

Including in it sites for great significance as Hijr-e-Aswad (The Black Stone), Zamzam Well, Muqam-e-Ibrahim & hills of Safwa & Marwa.