In the holy month of Ramadan, Life N Style invites you on a captivating adventure. We’ll embark on a visual pilgrimage across continents exploring eight awe-inspiring mosques.
This diverse collection ranges from ancient wonders, their stories etched in weathered stone, to modern masterpieces bathed in light. Included are not just the grandest but also the best-preserved wooden mosque in the Islamic world, alongside a structure dating back to 784 AD, showcasing the remarkable evolution of mosque architecture.
Join us on this unique journey, and let these eight extraordinary mosques unveil their mesmerising stories.
Elevating Spirituality: A Prayer Room in the Sky
Address Jabal Omar Makkah has unveiled the world’s highest prayer room overlooking the Holy Kaaba – the Sky Mussallah. Spanning a vast expanse of 550 square meters and boasting a capacity of 520 people, the Sky Mussallah is a testament to the hotel’s commitment to architectural excellence and unwavering devotion.
Unmatched Magnificence and Design Sophistication
Rising majestically 483 meters above sea level, this prayer room offers breathtaking views of the holy sights of Makkah, making it a haven for pilgrims and travellers alike.
A Perfect Blend of Tradition and Innovation
The Sky Mussallah embodies the hotel’s dedication to blending tradition with innovation. Its seamless fusion of ancient Arabian charm and contemporary luxury creates an ambience of unparalleled serenity and tranquillity.
ARCAPITA MOSQUE, BAHRAIN
Bahrain’s Arcapita Mosque transcends structure. Bathed in natural light, its serene, monochromatic interior fosters prayerful calm. Intricate mashrabiah screens, echoing Kufic calligraphy, grace the walls, offering privacy for women’s prayer areas. Regional stone, marble, and fabric panels create a symphony of sound, while hidden utilities prioritise tranquillity. This fusion of modern design and Islamic tradition earned Arcapita the Abdullatif Al Fozan Award, a testament to its architectural brilliance.
SULTAN QABOOS GRAND MOSQUE, OMAN
Dominating Muscat’s skyline, the majestic Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque blends Islamic, Middle Eastern, and Omani architectural styles. Sunlight streams through, illuminating a world of artistic wonders. The second-largest hand-woven carpet in existence, boasting 1.7 billion knots, adorns the prayer hall. A colossal chandelier, one of the world’s largest, twinkles with Swarovski crystals. Intricate mosaics dance across the walls, while handcrafted timber panels echo traditional Omani ceilings. The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is a dazzling testament to faith, artistry, and serenity.
THE ISLAMIC CENTRE OF RIJEKA,CROATIA
Croatia’s coastal gem, Rijeka, holds a unique treasure – the Islamic Center. This architectural marvel is the first mosque built on the Adriatic shores in five centuries. Its five graceful, modern concrete domes, sleek façade clad in shimmering stainless steel which reflects the sea’s embrace and a slender minaret that pierces the sky provides a modern interpretation of a traditional structure.
Eschewing traditional embellishments, the space inside prioritises light and clean lines. With a congress centre, restaurant, and even apartments creating a vibrant space for the community to connect and flourish. It’s a bridge between tradition and progress, a symbol of cultural exchange, and a stunning addition to Europe’s architectural landscape.
MASJID KRISTAL, MALAYSIA
Gleaming in the sunlight, this architectural marvel evokes both Arabian fairytales and the Taj Mahal’s grandeur. Clad in shimmering glass and steel, it earns its name as sunlight dances on its surface.
The main dome, flanked by eight smaller ones, crowns the structure, each adorned with a crescent moon. Four minarets with glass exteriors, inspired by Ottoman design, reflect the vibrant colours that illuminate the mosque at night.
Inside, its walls are adorned with intricate Islamic calligraphy etched onto the surrounding glass. A lush floral carpet complements the white and gold accents, creating a serene atmosphere for prayer and reflection.
MOSQUE OF CORDOBA, SPAIN
The Grand Mosque’s story whispers of a city that embraced change, transforming from a Roman temple to a Visigothic church before finding its final form as a magnificent mosque in 784 AD.
It is a breathtaking fusion of Islamic and local architectural styles. Rows of exquisite horseshoe arches, interlace with red and white stonework, creating a mesmerizing forest of light and shadow. Sunlight streams through a complex double-arched roof system, an innovation that allowed for a vast, column-filled space while maintaining structural integrity.
Step inside the hypostyle hall and be captivated by a staggering 856 columns, the most ever used in a single building! These columns, repurposed from Roman and Visigothic structures, stand in majestic rows, their varied styles a testament to the city’s rich past. Look up and marvel at the intricate geometric patterns adorning the ceiling, a mesmerising display of Islamic artistry.
ESREFOGUL MOSQUE, TURKIYE
Built in 1297, it’s a rare survivor, one of the few remaining wooden mosques from the Seljuk era.
From the street, an unassuming stone facade greets visitors. But step inside, and a breathtaking transformation unfolds. A forest of fifty wooden columns, adorned with intricate muqarnas capitals, soars skyward, supporting a timber roof. Light streams in from strategically placed wells, guiding the eye towards the richly decorated mihrab, a sanctuary of turquoise and black tiles.
This rectangular hall, a testament to early Anatolian Turkish architecture, boasts a unique diagonal entrance, drawing the faithful towards the heart of the mosque.
It is also on the list of World Heritage tentative list as it includes all the main elements of early Anatolian Turkish architecture and is the biggest, best preserved wooden columned and roofed mosque in Islamic world.
LADY AISHA MOSQUE, JEDDAH
Jeddah’s skyline boasts a unique gem – Lady Aisha Mosque. Unlike its traditional counterparts, this contemporary marvel defies expectations. A sleek, conical exterior, devoid of a dome at first glance, hints at its unconventional nature.
But the towering minaret reveals its true purpose. Step inside and discover a surprisingly plain interior, a stark contrast to the vibrant city outside. Yet, a breathtaking spectacle awaits. The mimbar, the place where sermons are delivered, takes centre stage.
Forgone is the traditional semi-circular shape; instead, a magnificent rectangular structure crafted from crystal glass shimmers like a stalactite formation. Light dances and refracts within its facets, creating a mesmerizing focal point.
The Lady Aisha Mosque is a testament to the evolution of Islamic architecture. It’s a place of worship that embraces modern design, a beacon of innovation that inspires and uplifts the soul.
