Mosques have evolved, with early structures being simple without domes or minarets. Instead, the muezzin used flattened rooftops to call for prayer.
Today, mosque mihrabs (a niche in the wall of a mosque) are designed to guide worshippers towards facing Makkah during prayers.
Around the world, mosques have been built to reflect the cultures from which they stem, some showcasing traditional and unique designs.
Here, we take a look at ten mosques from around the world and their community’s Muslim heritage.
1. Al Masjid an-Nabawi, Medina, Saudia Arabia
Al Masjid an-Nabawi was constructed and established by Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. ِAl Masjid Nabawi was built adjacent to the house where Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, lived following migration to Madinah.
Situated in the city of Madinah in Saudi Arabia, Al Masjid an-Nabawi is the third mosque constructed in the history of Islam. It is now one of the largest mosques in the world.
This beautiful mosque is situated at the center of Madinah and is enclosed by several hotels and old markets.
It is one of the chief pilgrimage sites of Muslims and has a particular area named Riad al-Jannah. Pilgrims visit the confines of the area, for there is a belief that prayers uttered here are never rejected.
One of the most beautiful features of the mosque is its Green Dome, which makes the whole structure look all the more eye-pleasing.
This mesmerizing two-tiered mosque is sited on a rectangular plan with a flat cemented roof and 27 sliding rooms. Its open-air architectural structure has a raised platform for reciting the Holy Quran.


2. Al-Aqsa Mosque, Old City of Jerusalem
Considered the third holiest site of Islamic pilgrimage, the Al-Aqsa Mosque is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, was transported here from the Al-Haram Mosque in Makkah before ascending to heaven. The mosque has been rebuilt several times as earthquakes impacted it.
The mosque rests on a platform supported by arches built to tackle typographic conditions. It houses the Dome of Rock, which reflects Byzantine architecture.
Though only a little remains of the dome, the present-day version has wood and enamel work. The mosque frontispiece, too, features balustrades comprising arcades and small columns.
While the interior features seven aisles and many halls, the stunning blue turquoise, gold mosaic, and inscriptions face the main entrance near the dome and make for a jaw-dropping view.
The complex has several mosques, including Buraq Mosque, Marwani Mosque, and the main Qibla Mosque.


3. Crystal Mosque, Malaysia
Sitting majestically on Kuala Terengganu’s Wan Man Island, the Crystal Mosque is a unique example of futuristic modern style and elegance.
Built in 2008, the mosque structure is coated with steel, glass, and crystal. It is the first mosque in the world to have solar panels, WiFi connections, and electronic Qurans.
The surrounding waters are the muse for the mosque’s exterior as steel and glass shimmer and reflect the river it overlooks.
The sleek and modern appearance gets even more heightened when the building is illuminated from within in the evening, turning the place into a dazzling spectacle.
One of the excellent examples of modern-day architecture, the mosque is sure to turn heads with its intricately decorated interiors.


4. Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey
Considered one of the last classical Ottoman structures, the Sultan Ahmet Mosque earned its nickname as the Blue Mosque for its blue Iznik tiles that decorate the interior walls.
Sultan Ahmed I commissioned the construction of the mosque in 1609 as a way to mark his legacy as a ruler.
However, the young leader enjoyed the masterpiece of Islamic architecture briefly before his untimely death in 1617, the same year the mosque was completed.
5. Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Oman
Situated in the heart of Muscat, the mosque is a beautiful blend of rich artistic taste and open natural gardens. The largest in Oman, the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque can accommodate nearly 20,000 worshippers at a time.
The mosque boasts the former world’s largest chandelier in the category of exquisite objects. It is made of 24-carat gold plated and adorned with 600,000 Swarovski crystals and 1,122 bulbs, adding a remarkable touch to the men’s prayer hall.
The mosque is the confluence of Islamic, Middle Eastern, and Omani architectural styles. It is made of 30,000 tonnes of pink sandstone imported from India, along with local granite and white marble.
The mosque holds the country’s tallest minaret, measuring 90 meters, along with four other minarets that symbolize the five pillars of Islam: the profession of faith, prayers, giving of alms, fasting, and pilgrimage.
With a focus on learning and cultural advancement, the mosque library has 20,000 books and volumes on science, Islamic culture, and humanity.
The Institute of Islamic Sciences is also here to enable young minds to gain religious knowledge.


6. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, UAE
The Grand Mosque features 82 domes of Moroccan design, all decorated in white marble. It has approximately 1,000 columns in its outer areas, clad with more than 20,000 marble panels inlaid with semi-precious stones.
The main prayer hall features the world’s largest chandelier under the main dome and the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet made in Iran.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is an imposing religious and national landmark in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Initiated by the late president HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque’s architectural design blends Moroccan and traditional Turkish with many global features.


7. Islamic Centre Mosque in Rijeka, Croatia
The mosque consists of five domes and semi-domes that visually constitute a single object done with reinforced concrete.
The frontispiece consists of metal sub-construction covered with ventilated stainless-steel plates. The 23-meter-high minaret is the dominant element on the plateau; it consists of a central conical steel cylinder and a sheet steel mantle.
Located on a 10,800 m2 site placed on a large plateau, the Centre was conceived as a large sculpture on a wide base and has become a landmark of Croatia’s busiest port and one of the most beautiful religious buildings in Europe.
A spiritual rather than a formal Islamic expression was intended, so the traditional decor was avoided, showing the flexibility and willingness of a traditional Islamic community to establish itself as part of modern society. The state of Qatar funded the mosque’s construction.

8. Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, Syria
The beautiful mosque has stood the test of time since it was completed over 1000 years ago in 715. It features three high-rise domes and a large courtyard where several Muslims gather daily to offer prayers.
Interestingly, the mosque is believed to have a shrine that holds the head of Prophet John (Yaḥyā), also known as John Baptist, a Jewish itinerant preacher from the early 1st century AD.
The mosque occupies a huge quadrangle 515 by 330 feet (157 by 100 meters) and contains a large open courtyard surrounded by an arcade of arches supported by slender columns.
The liwan, or hall of worship, running the length of the south side of the mosque, is divided into three long aisles by rows of columns and arches.
A transept with a central octagonal dome, originally wooden, cuts across the aisles at their midpoint.
The marble grilles that cover the windows in the south wall are the earliest example of geometric interlace in Islamic architecture. The walls of the mosque were once covered with more than an acre of mosaics depicting a fanciful landscape.


9. Hassan II Mosque, Morocco
Completed in 1993, the Mosque of Hassan II was designed by the French architect Michel Pinseau and built by Bouygues.
The mosque is built on a promontory looking out onto the Atlantic Ocean. The floor is made from glass, so the ocean below can be viewed, and worshippers can pray over the sea. The walls are of hand-crafted marble.
The roof of the Mosque is retractable so that it can be opened for worshippers to see the stars at night. Except for the imported white granite columns and glass chandeliers from Murano, near Venice, Nearly all the materials from which the Mosque is built are from Morocco.
Its minaret is the tallest structure in Morocco and the tallest in the world at 210 meters; on top of it are laser beams pointing towards Makkah, helping worshippers position themselves more precisely during prayers.
A maximum of 105,000 worshippers can gather together for prayer: its prayer hall can accommodate up to 25,000 faithful, while the esplanade is home to 80,000.
10. Wazir Khan Mosque, Pakistan
Like any other mosque, it has four minarets that mark the corners of a massive courtyard.
The design of Wazir Khan Mosque is most typical of the Mughal era architecture and style, with bricks and tiles adorning the walls.
The mosque’s entrance is through a large Aiwan that faces the Wazir Khan Chowk. Above the Aiwan is written the Islamic Declaration of Faith (Shahadah)
The entrance is decorated with sayings from the Prophet (Peace be upon him) and verses from the Quran.
Five compartments are crowned by a dome that opens onto a large courtyard. The central hall is the most significant prayer hall, built to Persian architectural standards.
The large dome rests upon four arches, which make a square pavilion.


The mesmerizing Azan (call to prayer) resonates through the busy streets, drawing visitors worldwide to admire the splendid minarets and intricately adorned domes of mosques.
These breathtaking landmarks have served as spiritual sanctuaries, captivating architectural wonders, and treasured symbols of Islamic cultural identity throughout history.