Mosques:
Mosques, which literally mean ‘gathering, bringing together’, have been built in different parts of the world since the emergence of Islam until today. In addition to being a place of worship, mosques are buildings used as places of work, rest or contemplation.Mosques built in different parts of the world carry the traces of the time and region in which they were built. However, due to the common function of praying in congregation in all these mosques, there are certain architectural features seen in all of them.These include:
- Sahn (Courtyard): Generally located on the north side of mosques, open to the top, surrounded by porticos on three sides.
- Mihrab (Niche): A niche in the qibla wall of a mosque that indicates the direction of Mecca.
- Minbar: It is located to the west of the mihrab and is the architectural element on which the imam stands to deliver the sermon.
- Minaret: The name given to the tower built for the call to worship.
- Last Congregation Place: It is the porticoed prayer section raised above the courtyard in front of the entrance door of the mosque.
The First Mosque: Masjid al-Quba
The house of the Prophet Muhammad in Medina is thought to be the first mosque. The mosque, known as the Masjid-al Quba, is a mudbrick house with living spaces around a closed rectangular courtyard. A porch with palm branches was added to protect from the desert heat. Over time, the mosque was expanded. The Quba Mosque is an important example of early mosque architecture. Most early mosques, and especially mosques in Arab lands, generally followed this pattern.
From the time of the Prophet Muhammad to the present day, the construction of mosques has been important; mosques with architectural and artistic features that are the product of different cultures and civilizations have been built for generations.As places of worship that represent faith, culture, and social life, mosques have been designed in different sizes and styles according to the needs of different regions.
Here are 8 remarkable examples of mosques from around the world:
1- Masjid Al- Haram
Location: Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Year: 638
The Masjid al-Haram, situated in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is the world’s largest mosque, capable of accommodating up to 2 million worshippers. Encircling the Kaaba, the most sacred site in Islam, the mosque is of paramount importance for the Hajj pilgrimage.With extensive expansions over the years, Masjid al-Haram is the largest mosque in the world with its indoor and outdoor prayer areas, covering an area of 356,000 m².The mosque, which has 11 minarets that are over 100 meters tall, has a large courtyard. There are many domes in and around its inner courtyard; these domes illuminate the interior spaces. The wide porches around the mosque create shaded areas for pilgrims to pray and protect the interior of the mosque from external influences.Reflecting the basic characteristics of Islamic architecture and having an important symbolic area in the Islamic faith, stone material was used in many parts of the mosque (including the Kaaba).
2- Niujie Mosque
Location: Beijing, China
Year: 996
Niujie Mosque, a synthesis of Islamic and Chinese architecture, is the first and largest mosque built in China. Built in 996 during the Liao Dynasty, the mosque has been restored at regular intervals until today. The exterior of the mosque, which is located on an area of 10,000m², reflects the characteristic features of Chinese architecture with its sloping roofs, use of wood and ornate details. However, the interior of the mosque is decorated with decorations belonging to the Islamic world. It can be said that Niujie Mosque harmoniously brings together Chinese and Islamic architecture, serving as a cultural bridge between China and the Islamic world.
3- Nasir al-Mulk Mosque
Location: Shiraz, Iran
Year:1888
Architect: Mohammed Hosseini Naqqash Shirazi, Mohammed Reza Kashipaz, Mohammed Hasan Memar
Known as the Pink Mosque, Nasır al-Mulk is a stunning example of Iranian Islamic architecture. The colored stained glass used in the windows of the mosque, which shows the power of light and color in architecture, creates a light game that changes constantly with the geometric patterns in the interior of the mosque when affected by daylight and offers a different appearance at every moment. Intricate geometric tile designs, painted arches, and niches, especially in pink, red, and orange tones, are used in the interior. It is possible to see the geometric patterns frequently used in Islamic architecture in the wall domes and columns of Nasir al-Mulk Mosque. Nasir al-Mulk Mosque has many domes of different sizes and shapes. The domes, whose inner surfaces are decorated with geometric patterns, divide the interior into sections. The main dome located above the mihrab is larger and more decorated than the others; thus, it emphasizes the mihrab, which is the main center of worship. The long rectangular pool in the courtyard reflects the pink, blue, and yellow tiles on the exterior, creating a refreshing and vibrant atmosphere.
4- Taj-ul-Masjid
Location: Bhopal, India
Year: 1901
Taj-ul Masjid, India’s largest mosque, covers an impressive 400,000 m² and can accommodate 1.75 million worshippers. This magnificent mosque is famous not only for its size but also for its architecture, which was designed with a mixture of Mughal and Islamic architectural styles. In addition to its magnificent domes, Taj-ul Masjid has two high minarets on either side. The mosque’s spacious courtyard provides a sense of openness, while the surrounding water bodies enhance its aesthetic appeal. As one of India’s most remarkable landmarks, Taj-ul Masjid boasts an opulent interior adorned with marble flooring, intricate ceiling decorations, and examples of calligraphy.
5- Jami Ul-lfar Mosque
Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Year: 1908
Architect: Habibe Labbe Saibu Labbe
Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque, the symbol of Islam in Sri Lanka, is also known among the public as the ‘Red Mosque’ due to its architecture and color. Initially built with a capacity of 1500, the mosque was converted to 6 floors in 1975 and expanded to 10,000 people. Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque is a unique mosque that emerged as a result of the combination of Islamic, Indian, and British cultures. The design of the mosque combines the geometric patterns of Islamic architecture with the colorful and vibrant architecture of India. The red and white colors that dominate the facade of the mosque give the Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque a vibrant appearance. The mosque’s window and door designs bear traces of British architecture, which was under colonial rule when the mosque was built. Jami Ul Alfar Mosque, which makes an important contribution to the architectural richness of Sri Lanka, is of great importance both culturally and historically.
6- Faisal Mosque
Location: Islamabad, Pakistan
Year:1986
Architect: Vedat Dalokay
With a capacity of 100,000 people, Faisal Mosque is the largest mosque in South Asia and is renowned for its modern and unique architecture. The mosque, which has an area of 54,000m², resembles a Bedouin tent with its large triangular prayer hall and four minarets reaching 90 meters. Unlike traditional mosques, Faisal Mosque does not feature domes but instead has a tent-like roof. The voids within the roof provide natural lighting. The mosque was constructed using natural materials and local building techniques, resulting in a structure that blends harmoniously with its surroundings. The Faisal Mosque, which is a mosque where Islamic architecture is interpreted with a modern architectural understanding, reflects the cultural identity of Pakistan.
7- Istiqlal Mosque
Location: Jakarta, Indonesia
Year: 1978
Architect: Frederich Silaban
Located in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, Istiqlal Mosque holds the title of the largest mosque in Southeast Asia, with a capacity of 120,000 people. Designed as a symbol of Indonesian independence, the mosque has a large dome with a diameter of 45 meters and a 96-meter-high minaret. A modern interpretation of classical Islamic architecture, the mosque is a work that reflects Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage. The mosque is decorated with Indonesian-specific plant and geometric motifs. In addition to local materials, modern building materials were used in the construction of the mosque; thus, a mosque that is both durable and aesthetic was designed.
8- Djamaa el Djazair
Location: Algiers, Algeria
Year: 2019
Architect: KSP Jürgen Engel Architekten , Krebs und Kiefer
The Djamaa el Djazair Mosque, an expression of modern Islamic architecture and Algeria’s cultural identity, can accommodate 120,000 people. The mosque, which is a product of the synthesis of traditional and modern, is built with modern architectural techniques, such as the dome, minaret, and courtyard, which are the basic elements of Islamic architecture. The mosque, also known as the Buteflika Mosque, is one of the largest mosques in North Africa, and it has an area of 400,000 m2. One of the most striking features of the Djamaa el Djazair Mosque is that it has one of the highest minarets in the world, with a height of 265 meters.
Learn with PAACADEMY:
Check out the workshops at PAACADEMY to learn from the industry’s best experts how to use advanced parametric design tools, AI in design workflows, and computational design in architecture!
1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10 – 11 – 12 – 13 – 14 – 15
