-

Your Gateway To Oman

The Grand Mosque

Work began on the construction of the Sultan Qaboos  Grand Mosque complex on a site by a main road between Muscat and Seeb early in 1995. It was completed six years later and inaugurated by  His Majesty the Sultan in may 2001. the developed part of of the site , including the fully consolidated areas and landscaping, covers 416,000 square meters. The Mosque complex (covering 40,00 sqm) is constructed on a raised podium in keeping with the tradition of Omani mosques that were built elevated from street level. It can accommodate up to 20,000 worshippers and consists of a main prayer hall, ladies prayer hall , covered passage ways , a meeting hall and library which will eventually contain up to 20,000 books. The whole interior of The Grand Mosque is paneled with off-white and dark grey marble paneling clothed in cut tile work. Ceramic floral patterns adorn arch framed mural panels set in the marble forming blind niches in a variety of classical Persian, predominantly Safavid , designs. The ceilings are inspired by those of Omani forts. The mihrab in the main prayer hall is framed by a border of Quranic  verses. The dome comprises a series  of ornate, engraved stained glass triangles within a framework of marble columns and a Swarovski crystal chandelier with gold-plated metalwork hangs down for a length of 14 meters. A major feature of the main prayer hall is the hand-made Persian carpet consisting of 1,700 million knots , weighing 21 tones and made in a single piece measuring 70 x 60 meters. From design stage  it took four years to complete and 600 female weavers from the province of Khurasan in Iran were involved. The Grand Mosque inspired  the  founding of contemporary institute dedicated to advanced Islamic studies with appropriate  educational facilities and accommodation. The institute  is situated to the south of the Mosque  complex site.

HIS MAJESTY

INTRODUCTION

FEATURES

WILDLIFE

TRADITIONS

MAPS

Copyright©  Hareesh Networks®