Ever been inside a mosque? The tranquillity and peace that is found in a mosque are undoubtedly unmatched and it has a serenity which cannot be compared to anything else. If you want to visit some of the most beautiful mosques in Asia, here is a list of 15 of the must-visit ones.
1. Al-Haram Mosque, Mecca
Considered by many to be the holiest mosque, the Al-Haram is the oldest and the largest mosque too. Kaaba is a cubed building located in the centre of the place and as many as 2 million people gather here for their visit to Hajj.
2. Al Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem
As per the Muslim belief, Muhammad was transported to this site from the Al-Haram Mosque in Mecca. This is yet another holy mosque which apart from being sacred looks breathtakingly beautiful as well.
3. Al Nabawi Mosque, Saudi Arabia
It is believed to be the place where Prophet Muhammad actually lived. Not only this, but He was also buried here and thus it became one of the holiest mosques in Islam.
4. The Blue Mosque, Istanbul
The walls of the mosque have mesmerizing blue tiles. Considered by many as one of the most beautiful mosques, the serenity, and tranquillity here is unmatched.
5. Dome Of The Rock Mosque, Jerusalem
Often confused with Al Aqsa, these are 2 separate buildings but located extremely close to each other. Some scholars believe that this is the exact spot from where Muhammad started His ascend to heavens.
6. Suleymaniye Mosque, Istanbul
Named after the longest-reigning sultan in the whole Ottoman Empire, this is one of the grandest mosques ever. This is the largest mosque in Istanbul and the Sultan was buried here along with his wife.
7. Shah Faisal Mosque, Islamabad
It has been designed to resemble a Bedouin’s tent and remains the largest mosque in Pakistan currently. The mosque is known for ties queer design and excellent shape.
8. Zahir Mosque, Malaysia
Considered by many as one of the most beautiful mosques, this one was built back in 1912. It hosts a Quran reading competition every year. Also, read Your Guide to 10 Most Beautiful Mosques in Malaysia.
9. Umayyad Mosque, Damascus
It is yet another holy place which is believed to contain the head of John the Baptist. There are Muslims who also believe that Jesus will return here after the end of days. The mosque stands out with its charming beauty.
10. Bursa Grand Mosque, Turkey
This mosque has as many as 20 domes and the graffiti in it is almost 500 years old. Go and visit it for the kind of legacy it holds and of course the sprawling beauty of this place.
11. Crystal Mosque, Malaysia
Though this isn’t extremely big, it is surely beautiful. This mosque has been built using crystal, glasses and steel and looks jaw-dropping. Despite its limited capacity, it is a must-visit attraction.
12. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi
The place with the world’s largest carpet, this is undoubtedly the most magnificent of all mosques. With decoration that can put every other monument to shame and mind-boggling lightings, it is surely a treat for the eyes. Known for making all things grand, this mosque in Dubai is a must-visit point for every tourist. The breathtaking beauty and great architecture make it a top tourist attraction.
13. The Great Mosque Of Xi’an, China
The Great Mosque of Xian is one of the oldest, largest mosque ever known in China. It was founded back in 742 with a combination of traditional Chinese style of architecture and Islamic art. It is primarily a tourist attraction but is frequented by Chinese Muslims.
14. Puchong Perdana Mosque, Malaysia
This place is surely a photographer’s delight. Believed to be floating on water, this mosque can help you capture some of the best shots especially if you can manage to get the right light as the reflection will be amazing.
15. Sri Sendayan Mosque, Malaysia
This new attraction in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia is renowned for its elegant and artistic Islamic architecture. Its stunning architecture and the materials used in building Sri Sendayan Mosque will leave everyone spellbound. The glamourous materials were flown in from Egypt, Turkey, Dubai and Morocco with a personal touch from RHB Group founder Tan Sri Abd Rashid Hussain that waqf (donate) the mosque for public use.