Every culture, every nation creates cultural values that make up the spiritual foundation of any society, state, ethnic group. Careful attitude to our cultural heritage is an important indicator of the upbringing and education of society. History does not forgive blown up temples and architectural monuments, books burned in bonfires and acid paintings. Then we reap it with generations of semi-literate teachers, doctors, engineers. Carefully preserving the spiritual heritage of the past, multiplying and enriching it with the latest achievements, this is what should be a priority for the development of world powers.
So in religion, as one of the components of the spiritual life of the people and the individual. A person expresses his attitude to God not only through prayer, but also in architectural embodiment, through the same mosaic or fresco in the temple.
Orthodox churches, Catholic churches and cathedrals, Muslim mosques are both modern religious and spiritual centers for modern man. Their construction uses the latest achievements of engineering, new technologies for decoration and decoration.
And now we begin our story about the largest mosques in the world.
20
Al Aqsa (Jerusalem)
The building is unique in that it organically fit into the relief of the Temple Mount of the city of Jerusalem.
This is the third largest architectural object of Islam in the Muslim world. Here, as to the forbidden and mosques of the prophet, the majority of Muslims of the world perform the hajj. They stand in line for a long time to pray in the walls of this sacred building. After all, Al-Aqsa can hold 5,000 believers at the same time to perform namaz.
The temple has a rich and interesting history. During the Crusades, the Europeans used it as a residential palace and put an end to it for prayers. After the end of the campaigns, Al-Aqsa was again transferred to the Muslims.
The mosque was repeatedly attacked in modern times. Several times it was set on fire by representatives of radical Catholic and Protestant organizations. For security reasons, Israeli authorities have restricted the quantitative access of Muslims and tourists to the shrine since 2007.
19
Masjid-e Tuba (Karachi, Pakistan)
The construction in Pakistani Karachi is called by the locals “Gol-Masjid.” This mosque has the largest dome among all the mosques in the world. Its diameter is 72 meters.
White marble was used in the construction, which makes the mosque one of the most beautiful sacred buildings in the world. Seventy-meter minarets organically fit into the main architectural complex of the temple.
The central hall of Masjid-e Tuba seats 5,000 believers. From start to finish this is a national project. Designed by Pakistani architects, and built by builders of Pakistani companies in 1969.
Masjid-e Tuba is the main attraction of the city. In the decoration of this masterpiece, national motifs are used both in architecture, and in decor and decoration.
18
Al Fatiha (Manama, Bahrain)
This mosque is also known as the Islamic Center of Al-Fatih, can accommodate up to 7,000 Muslim believers. It is named after the conqueror of Bahrain, and opened in 1987.
Tourists from all over the world visit Bahrain, including to see this temple. One of the few mosques that is open to tourists. Naturally, not in the days of prayers (Friday) and Muslim holidays.
The main dome, which weighs 60 tons, is made of fiberglass. In total, the building has four domes. The ornament mainly conveys the national motives of the country. Recently, the National Library was moved to Al-Fatiha, and it has also become a cultural center.
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17
Blue or Sultanahmet Mosque (Istanbul, Turkey)
The synthesis of Byzantine and Islamic architecture was the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. This beautiful mosque in the world is located on the picturesque shore of the Sea of Marmara in one of the most romantic cities on the planet.
Unusually located minarets of the building. Four, as usual, are located around the perimeter of the main building, and two are built on its outer corners. The walls are originally decorated with arcades.
The mosque was built by Ahmed I in order to appease Allah. At the beginning of the XVII century, the Ottoman Empire waged wars with Austria and Iran. The war did not bring success to the Ottoman Turks, and in this way the Sultan wanted to solve the country's problems. Gathering the masters, he ordered them to build a mosque, which will have no equal in the world in decoration and size.
The height of the dome reaches 43 meters, and the minarets "grew" by 64 meters. Believers, and they can accommodate up to 10 thousand in the halls, especially worship this sacred structure of Istanbul.
16
Sulaymaniyah (Istanbul, Turkey)
Another Istanbul mosque, which has long had the status of the largest in Turkey. It was erected in the middle of the XVI century by order of the Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. Its dome is 53 meters high and 27.5 meters in diameter. With nearby buildings, the mosque forms a huge complex of buildings.
15
Chamlyca (Istanbul, Turkey)
In 2016, 30 months after the start of construction, the largest mosque in Turkey, Chamluca, was opened. It stands on an area of 15 thousand m², located on a hill. What makes it visible from any area of Istanbul. Two of the four minarets are 100.7 meters high, the rest are 90 meters high.
Soon, for the convenience of worshipers, a new metro station will appear near the mosque, as well as a cable car with a length of more than 10 km.
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14
Mosque "Heart of Chechnya" (Grozny, Russian Federation)
Today, this religious building, built in Grozny, is the largest mosque in Russia. Prior to this, the first place was behind the Makhachkala mosque.
During the Islamist forum, to which representatives of secular authorities were invited on October 17, 2008, “The Heart of Chechnya” was inaugurated.
Both Russian and a number of Turkish companies were involved in the construction. This spiritual complex has become a symbol of not only Islam, but also the peace and creation of the Chechen Republic within Russia.
The minarets that streamed their spiers into the sky are the highest in height in the Russian Federation. The halls are decorated with mosaics with elements of the national Chechen culture. At the same time, 15,000 people can be in the mosque.
For local residents, “The Heart of Chechnya” has become not only a spiritual, but also a cultural center. Near its walls are Muslim and national holidays.
13
Mosque "House of Victories" (London, England)
After much effort, the followers of the Ahmadites managed to get permission to build the Baitul-Futuh mosque in England. It is located in a suburb of London.
Opened in 2003, it became the largest in Western Europe. Secular institutes are located in the mosque - a library, a gymnasium, offices, as well as television studios.
The building has three large prayer halls that can accommodate 10,000 people.
From all over England and the countries of the European Union in the early 2000s, this became the main place of pilgrimage.
12
Masjid Negara (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
The iconic building of Masjid Negara was built in 1965 in Kuala Lumpur.
A great sense was laid in the implementation of her project. Domes of the mosque symbolize the states of Malaysia, and the 5 commandments of Islam. The dome of the main building has a ribbed, star-shaped shape. The height of its minaret is 73 meters. The temple can simultaneously accommodate 15,000 people.
Masjid Negara is not only the spiritual center of Malaysia, but also a magnificent landmark. In its decor and architectural elements, the traditions of Islamic and Malaysian art are harmoniously synthesized.
11
Festive Mosque - Eid Kah (Kashgar, China)
The largest mosque in China, spreading its domes and spiers of minarets in the main square of the city of Kashgar. This area of China is a place of compact residence of Uyghur Muslims.
The history of this mosque has its roots in the early Middle Ages. Buildings of the 9th-10th centuries were studied on the territory of Eid Kakh, although the year 1442 is considered the official date of its beginning. During the construction, the achievements of the greatest masters and builders of that time were used.
The mosque has been rebuilt several times and now covers an area of 16,800 m² and can accommodate 20,000 Muslims.
10
Sultan Qaboos Mosque (Muscat, Oman)
The mosque located in Oman is one of the most beautiful in the world. For a long time, the Muslims of this country did not have their own temple, and only in 1993 did the authorities decide to build a cult center for adherents of Islam.
This building combines the achievements of modern engineering and the national traditions of Oman. The trellised dome rises above the earth to a height of 50 meters. The hall can accommodate up to 8,000 believers.
Of interesting facts, we note that the construction took 300 thousand tons of Indian sandstone. The unique building material made the mosque a unique work of architecture.
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9
Delhi Cathedral Mosque (Delhi, India)
This temple is famous for the fact that it stores a copy of the holy book of Muslims - the Koran, made on the skin of a deer. Almost the same age as the Taj Mahal, opened in 1656 and can simultaneously receive 25,000 believers.
During its construction, more than 5 thousand people used the work, and the construction itself lasted for 6 years. And today, the Delhi Cathedral Mosque remains one of the most beautiful buildings in modern Delhi.
8
Sheikh Zayed Mosque (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates)
This construction of Islamic sacred architecture breaks many records.
The largest carpet in the world is spread out on the floor. The largest chandeliers that were made in Germany are suspended from the ceiling. Chandeliers are made of gold and Swarovski crystals.
Amazes tourists and the appearance of the meti. Two tall minarets of 107 meters each and 82 domes located on the main building. The decoration skillfully combines paint and mosaic. The best world masters were involved in the work.
The mosque in Abu Dhabi, which opened in 2007, seats 40,000 believers. Another feature of this temple is that it is open not only to adherents of Islam, but also to all comers.
The mosque is named after the man who became the founder and united the United Arab Emirates into one state - Sheikh Zayed ibn Sultan al-Nahyan.
7
Badshahi Mosque (Lahore, Pakistan)
This building was erected in Lahore, and is the second largest in Pakistan. It has an original structure, because it was built on a bridge that rises above the old city. It was erected during the reign of the Mughals in 1673-1674 and completely preserved the architectural style of that time.
This temple is not only magnificent in size, but is also considered one of the significant objects of Indo-Islamic religious architecture.
6
Faisal (Islamabad, Pakistan)
A mosque in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, could have remained an ordinary religious building in a series of similar ones around the world, if not for its size. The whole world, not only the Muslim one, was struck by an area covering 5,000 m² and a capacity of 300,000 believers.
The mosque was built for 11 years. The year before the start of construction, King Faisal ibn Abdel Aziz al-Saud was assassinated, who allocated funds for the construction. It was decided to name the temple opened in 1986 in his honor.
5
Hassan II Mosque (Casablanca, Morocco)
In Morocco, the Hassan II Mosque is located. A relatively new building in the mid-80s of the XX century was built according to all the canons of the Muslim world.
One of the greatest mosques in the world. Only one of its halls can accommodate 25 thousand people, and in total during the general prayers and religious holidays, 105,000 believers can sit in the mosque.
Only one minaret is one of the highest - 210 meters. A Muslim temple cost Morocco $ 800 million.
4
Independence Mosque (Jakarta, Indonesia)
This magnificent building of Islam is located in the capital of Indonesia, Jakarta.
The need for the construction of a mosque arose after it was the largest state in Southeast Asia, after a long struggle it achieved independence from the Netherlands. In addition, Indonesia is the country with the largest number of Muslims in the world.
On August 24, 1962, President Sukarno addressed the people and laid the first stone in the foundation of the future mosque. The Indonesians very responsibly approached such a significant case for Muslims. Several options were considered, among which they chose the optimal one, involving the construction of a large mosque in area.
The Independence Mosque in Indonesia received the first believers seventeen years after the start of construction - February 22, 1978. It was opened by the next president of the country - Sukharno.
In the Southeast region, it is the largest mosque with a capacity of 120,000 people.
3
Mazar of Imam Reza (Mashhad, Iran)
Named after the tomb of Imam Reza, located on the territory of the spiritual building of Islam. This mosque is one of the oldest in the world. Built in 818, it is located in the city of Mashhad in Iran.
This is a whole complex of religious and secular structures proper. On the territory of the complex there is a museum, a library, and in the cemetery near the Mazar of Imam Reza you will find the tombs of many revered imams.
During Muslim holidays, the walls of a mosque can accommodate up to 100,000 people.
2
Mosque of the Prophet (Medina, Saudi Arabia)
Al-Masjid al-Nabawi is located in Saudi Arabia and is the burial place of the Prophet Muhammad. The second most important mosque in the Islamic world.
Historical sources of the XII century report that the mosque of the prophet was built during the life of Muhammad. After his burial, a large green dome was erected over the grave.
Throughout the history of its existence, the building has been rebuilt and expanded more than once. Today, within Al-Masjid al-Nabawi holds 1 million people.
This mosque served as a model for the construction of subsequent Islamic shrines in the classical composition of columned mosques. At first it was turned to Jerusalem, then during the redevelopment it was turned to Mecca - the main city of every Muslim.
The first two Muslim caliphs, Abu Bakr and Umar, are also buried within the mosque.
1
Forbidden Mosque. Mecca
Al-Haram Mosque is the largest mosque in the world. This is a particularly revered and main shrine for every Muslim. To make hajj to the mosque is the highest manifestation of faith for Muslims, because in the courtyard of this building is located the Kaaba - the main shrine of the Muslim world. According to the laws of the Koran, once in a lifetime a Muslim must visit this mosque and touch a shrine, and thebiggest.ru wishes every Muslim to perform a hajj to Mecca.
The mosque was built in the early Middle Ages, in 638. In 1570 it was rebuilt and in this form has survived to the present day. But today, with the aim of expansion, some reconstruction is taking place.
This great building has an area of 400 thousand m². Al-Haram has 11 minarets, the height of the highest is 95 meters. At the same time, 1.2 million people fit in the mosque.
History also knows the tragic pages from the life of al-Haram. In 1979, a terrorist act was committed on its territory. And in 2015, a construction crane fell into the yard. Unfortunately, in both cases, the victims could not be avoided.
Modern mosques, both large and small, are truly works of art. One thing is sad, many of them are closed to representatives of another religion.
Conclusion
Today, mosques can be found not only in Muslim countries, but also in any other region of the globe, and not only in places of compact residence of Muslims. The world is globalizing and there is a gradual blurring of borders. The state border can no longer restrain cultural, spiritual, religious infiltration into a particular state.
The main problem is the activation of terrorist organizations under the guise of Islam. But the whole world, including the Muslim world, admits that these gang formations have nothing to do with the faith of the Prophet Muhammad. Islam has a green color. The color of life and development. The organization "IGiL" and others like it are fighting under black flags.
And in conclusion, a few words. Each culture, people, religion is unique, and we must respect them. There are no primitive peoples, sometimes we are primitive, in our unwillingness to learn something new.
Article author: Valery Skiba