In May, millions of Muslims celebrate Ramadan, a month when religious devotion is expressed by fasting from sunrise to sunset. The fasting period is also a time to remove yourself from worldly pleasures and help remember the suffering of the less fortunate.
At the end of Ramadan in the beginning of June, there is Eid al-Fitr, a three-day holiday celebrated with prayer and feasts. These celebrations take place at beautiful mosques around the world. As well as being sacred places of worship for Muslims, many of these mosques are historical architectural wonders and are incredible to see in person.
To celebrate this important time in the Muslim calendar, we are sharing Local Guides photos of some of the world’s most beautiful mosques below.
1. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center in Abu Dhab is a sight to behold with its 4 minarets and 82 domes in different sizes. Not only is it the 3rd largest mosque in the world, it also holds the record for the world’s largest handwoven rug. The impressive carpet covers more than 30 acres and weighs 12 tons! The mosque took more than 10 years to complete, with more than 3,000 artists and 35 companies collaborating in the building’s construction.
2. Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in Banda Aceh, Indonesia
This beautiful mosque, with its white walls, 7 black domes, and 7 minarets, is also a landmark that represents both physical and spiritual strength. It was here that hundreds of people took shelter during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. The mosque survived with only some damage, while most of the other buildings in the city did not.
3. Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is the largest mosque in the world. It is also the holiest site in the Islam religion where close to 2 million Muslims make a 5 day pilgramage, called the Hajj. This journey to Mecca takes place in August, and is considered as a once in a lifetime obligation for all Muslims who have the financial means and are physically able to undertake the journey.
4. Prince Abdel Kader Mosque in Constantine, Algeria
Prince Abdel Kader Mosque stands out in Constantine’s skyline, with its elegant twin minarets reaching high in the sky. Completed in 1994, it is one of the world’s largest mosques, and can accommodate up to 15,000 worshipers.
5. Nasirolmolk Mosque in Shiraz, Iran
The stained glass of Nasirolmolk Mosque creates a magical rainbow of colored light in its interior. Also called the Pink Mosque, this mosque took 12 years to build and was completed in 1888. The kaleidoscope-like color found behind its doors has captivated visitors ever since.
6. Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, Morocco
The Hassan II Mosque is a wonder to see. This impressive mosque was built on a piece of land that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean and it also has the tallest minaret in the world—210 meters high! When walking outside, make sure to take some time to take in the beauty of the blue, green, and yellow tilework.
Have you visited a beautiful mosque? Share your photos with us in the comments below.
