Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Muscat
Sultan Qaboos Mosque: A Symbol of Oman's Heritage and Progress The Sultan Qaboos Mosque is the largest and most magnificent mosque in Oman, located in the capital city of Muscat. It was inaugurated by the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said in 2001, as a gift to the nation to celebrate his 30 years of reign. The mosque is a masterpiece of Islamic architecture, blending traditional Omani elements with modern features and materials. The mosque covers an area of 416,000 square meters, with a capacity for 20,000 worshippers. It has five minarets, representing the five pillars of Islam, with the main minaret reaching 90 meters in height. The mosque also has a stunning dome, which rises to 50 meters above the floor and is decorated with intricate patterns and calligraphy. Some interesting facts about the mosque are: - The mosque was built after a competition for the best design was held in 1993. The winning design was a combination of Islamic, Middle Eastern and Omani architectural style