Cover Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque dazzles with its opulent materials and shimmering reflections on the artificial lagoon (photo: holgs)
Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque dazzles with its opulent materials and shimmering reflections on the artificial lagoon (photo: holgs)
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From the striking tent-shaped Shah Faisal Mosque in Pakistan’s desert to the dazzling glass-and-crystal mosque in Malaysia, these places of worship are architectural wonders of remarkable character.
In architecture, mosques represent not only centres of faith but also enduring monuments of cultural and artistic achievement, reflecting the values and aspirations of the communities that built them. Most are crowned with sweeping domes that rise towards the heavens and slender minarets that pierce the horizon, serving as both symbols of belief and landmarks in the urban landscape. Interiors are often enriched with intricate Islamic motifs, delicate paintings and flowing calligraphy. Each mosque tells a story of heritage and devotion, carrying within its walls the legacy of generations, while shaping skylines and inspiring awe in visitors from around the world.
Shah Faisal (Islamabad, Pakistan): A vast luxury tent in the desert
Set against the foothills of the Margalla Hills, the Shah Faisal Mosque is Pakistan’s largest. Designed by Turkish architect Vedat Dalokay and constructed between 1976 and 1986, at a cost equivalent to around $120 million today, it resembles a grand tent pitched in the desert.
Above Shah Faisal’s design evokes a monumental luxury tent in the desert (photo: Vithun Khamssong)
Shah Faisal’s design evokes a monumental luxury tent in the desert (photo: Vithun Khamssong)
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Blending modern and traditional influences, Shah Faisal eschews the classic dome in favour of a striking sloping roof. Four 88-metre minarets tower above the prayer hall, creating one of its most distinctive features.
The main hall and courtyard together can hold as many as 100,000 worshippers, while the soaring 40-metre ceiling within amplifies the voices of prayer in resonant echoes.
Al-Azhar (Cairo, Egypt): Mosque and university steeped in history
One of Cairo’s oldest mosques, Al-Azhar was founded in 970 AD by the Fatimid dynasty. After more than a millennium of renovations and expansions, the mosque embodies a harmony of styles, with Ottoman influences most prominent.
The central courtyard was the first to be built, while the three minarets, added between the 14th and 16th centuries, rise gracefully from south to north. The twin-spire minaret, a commission of Sultan Al Ghori, stands close to his mausoleum.
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Al-Azhar also became home to an Islamic school in 988 AD, which evolved into one of the world’s oldest universities, second only to Al Karaouine University in Fez, Morocco. Today, it remains one of the leading educational institutions for Muslim students worldwide.
Blue Mosque (Istanbul, Türkiye): An awe-inspiring national treasure
Built between 1603 and 1617, the Blue Mosque is not only one of the most celebrated mosques in the world but also a defining cultural symbol of Istanbul.
Distinguished by its six minarets, cascading domes and luminous blue iznik tiles, the mosque, set amid breathtaking surroundings, quickly became an essential stop for visitors to the city.
Architect Sedefkâr Mehmet Ağa designed its sweeping exterior lines, while the interior overwhelms first-time visitors with its vast prayer hall, tens of thousands of iznik tiles and 260 windows flooding the space with light.
Omar Ali Saifuddin (Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei): A royal symbol of splendour
Named after the 28th Sultan, the Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque stands proudly in Brunei’s capital. Beside its artificial lagoon, the golden dome gleams in perfect reflection, embodying royal grandeur and serene beauty.
Above Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque impresses with its luxurious materials and shimmering reflections on the artificial lagoon (photo: holgs)
Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque impresses with its luxurious materials and shimmering reflections on the artificial lagoon (photo: holgs)
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The mosque is adorned with the finest materials, from Italian marble covering the walls and floors to chandeliers crafted in England. Around the main dome is a glass mosaic inlaid with 3.5 million pieces of real gold leaf, adding to its splendour. The 52-metre-high minaret makes it the tallest structure in Brunei’s capital.
Sheikh Zayed (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates): A fusion of contemporary design and Islamic tradition
Completed in 2007, the Sheikh Zayed Mosque features vast landscaped grounds and the world’s largest handmade carpet. Its architecture blends contemporary lines with traditional Islamic aesthetics.
With more than 80 marble domes and four soaring minarets reaching 108 metres, the mosque is a majestic statement of faith and artistry. Inside, three immense chandeliers sparkle with gold, steel, brass and crystal. The largest, weighing 11 tonnes, glitters with Swarovski crystals and 40 kilograms of 24-karat gold plating.
Al-Haram (Mecca, Saudi Arabia): The most sacred site of the Muslim world
The oldest and most revered mosque in Islam, Al-Haram can accommodate up to three million worshippers across its vast 356,800 square metres.
The Kaaba is believed to predate the Prophet Muhammad, with Muslim tradition holding that it was built by Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ishmael.
Above Al-Haram is the most famous mosque for the global Muslim community (photo: Amir Mukhtar)
Al-Haram is the most famous mosque for the global Muslim community (photo: Amir Mukhtar)
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At its heart stands the Holy Kaaba, draped in black and gold cloth, where pilgrims perform Tawaf, the continuous ritual of circling the shrine. Each year, millions of believers travel here to take part in the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages, making it the spiritual centre of the Muslim world.
Great Mosque (Djenné, Mali): The world’s largest mud-brick building and a UNESCO treasure
The Great Mosque of Djenné was first built in 1280 under King Koi Konboro. After multiple reconstructions, the present structure was completed in 1907 and is today recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Constructed from mud bricks in the Sahel (or Sudanese) style, the mosque symbolises Djenné’s cultural wealth. Wooden beams jut from the walls, both decorative and practical, serving as scaffolding during annual repairs at the end of the rainy season. The restoration is led by master masons and supported by over 4,000 local volunteers.
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Inside, half the floor is covered with wooden pillars supporting the roof, punctuated by small holes that let shafts of light filter through. During the rainy season, these openings are sealed with ceramic pots.
Crystal (Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia): A mosque built of glass
Construction began in 2006 and was completed in 2008, its architectural lines recalling the spirit of the 1970s.
The mosque is built entirely from glass and crystal, with domes and towers fashioned from bronze and smoked glass. By day, it sparkles in the river’s reflection, while at sunset the water mirrors its glowing silhouette. At night, it shines like a beacon, illuminated against the sky.
