Oman Travel: Muscat's Grand Mosque
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque: Top of the List of Things to See in Oman
© Rod Quin
Travelers to Oman should visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat with its towering minarets, white marble courtyard, beautiful prayer mat and stunning chandeliers.
Entrance to the Mosque
A visit to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, described as the crowning glory of Oman, begins in the surrounding gardens beautifully landscaped in traditional Islamic style. From the gardens, visitors enter the shining white marble courtyard through a series of symmetrical white stone archways which provide a photographer’s dream: a series of repeatedly framed views of the 91.5 metre high main minaret. This minaret and four others, each 45 metres high, symbolise the five pillars of Islam.
Prayer Hall
From the courtyard an imposing wooden doorway carved with verses from the Koran provides access to the main prayer hall which can accommodate an astonishing total of over 6,000 people. The prayer hall is dramatically arcaded on two sides with striped Islamic arches supported by black marble pillars. The ceilings of the arcades consist of intricate wood panels in traditional Omani fort style.
Gilded murals in floral and geometric patterns decorate the walls throughout the prayer hall while stained glass windows let in colourful filtered light echoing the patterns of the murals. A stunning gold painted mihrab (niche facing Mecca) forms the focus of the prayer hall.
However, the most impressive features of the prayer hall are on the floor and ceiling.
Prayer Mat
The prayer mat which took four years and six hundred weavers to produce, covers 4,200 square metres and weighs 21 tonnes. Employing 28 different colours in varying shades and intricate designs, the mat contains 1,700 million knots
Chandeliers
In the centre of the prayer hall just four pillars support a massive 50 metre high, wood-panelled central dome. Hanging from the dome is a magnificent crystal chandelier made of Swarovski crystal. Fourteen metres high by eight metres in diameter, the chandelier weighs eight tonnes and has 1,122 lamps and 600,000 crystals. The metal sections of the chandelier are plated in 24 carat gold.
In design the chandelier takes the form of a large central minaret encircled by twenty four smaller ones. Thirty four smaller chandeliers throughout the mosque mirror the design of the central chandelier.
While, the size, architecture and decoration of the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque are impressive, the overall mood is one of restrained elegance and devoted reverence. Additional images of the Grand Mosque can be found here.
Background Information about Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
- Sultan Qaboos bin Said became ruler of Oman in 1970 replacing his father, Sultan Said bin Taimur who had ruled since 1932. Under Said, Oman was an isolated and backward country. Upon taking power, Sultan Qaboos opened Oman to the world and modernised its society and economy, while preserving the best of Omani traditions.
- Today Oman is a modern, developing and progressive Middle Eastern nation with high levels of education and health care. The Grand Mosque was built by the sultan as a gift to the people of Oman in commemoration of the thirtieth year of his reign.
- The dominant form of Islam in Oman is Ibadi, one of the oldest sects, originating in the eighth century. Omani Ibadism is tolerant of other forms of Islam and other faiths. Followers of other sects and religions are free to practise their faith in Oman, and Omani women are represented in all walks of life, including at the highest levels of government.
Useful Information about Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
- The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is open to non-Muslims from 8 am to 11 am, excluding Fridays.
- Both male and female visitors should dress modestly. Men and women should ensure their arms and legs are covered, and women should cover their heads. Shoes should be removed before entering the prayer hall.
- Not to be confused with Sultan Qaboos mosque in Ruwi, the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is in Sultan Qaboos Street, Al Ghubrah, on the road from central Muscat to the airport.
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