A visit to Muscat would be incomplete without a visit to the largest Masjid (mosque) of Oman – Sultan Qaboos Grand Masjid, due to its magnificent Islamic architecture. It is also one of the largest mosques in the world. The masjid, inaugurated in 2001, is named after the Sultan of Oman (His Majesty Sultan Qaboos).
There are separate prayer halls for men and women. Muslims can visit the Masjid in prayers time to offer Salah (Prayer is called Salah in Arabic). There are 5 daily prayers. However, Muslims can also visit in the visitors time (when people belonging to any religion can visit). The advantage of visiting in visitors time is that Muslim women can also see the male prayer hall, which is not allowed for women to visit at the time of prayer.
Non-Muslims visitors are also allowed to enter in the Masjid, daily from 8 am to 11 am except Friday, which is weekly holiday and men congregation would be huge in every mosque due to the after-noon prayer.There are two additional sermons in that prayer.
There are few things that non muslim visitors should know before going there.
- The entry for the visitors is from the Garden Gate only.
- Both men and women must be dressed fully. Women must take scarfs on their heads before going inside the Masjid. So take scarfs with you and dress fully. Full dress means the top with full sleeves and full length trousers covering the arms and the legs.
- Shoes are to be taken off while entering the prayer halls (allowed in the garden area). So wear shoes that are easy to remove while touring the Masjid. There are places to keep shoes in racks. Just remember the location of the rack, else you will spend time in finding the shoes on return.
- No bag is allowed to be taken inside the prayer halls.
- Special blue color mats are laid for the visitors to walk and are not allowed to go anywhere else other then the blue mat inside the prayer halls. It’s also not allowed to touch anything including walls.
- Children under 10 years are not permitted.
- It’s better to go with a guide, or a local taxi driver so that he can explain all places and things in details regarding prayers and praying area.
Women Prayer Hall:
The women prayer hall is quiet smaller to that of the men. Its because women don’t pray in congregation and they pray at home. But the purpose of women hall in mosques is that if they are outside and its prayer time, then they can come to the mosque with the male family member and pray inside women prayer hall. The size of the women prayer hall is 558 square meters.
On the way to male prayer hall:
Photogenic Archways in white color would be there on the way to male prayer hall. These courtyards, when occupied completely can hold 20,000 worshipers at one time.
Inside the Male Prayer Hall:
The male prayer hall, which has an area of 4,000 square meters, has one of the largest hand woven carpet in the world, made in Iran. The male prayer hall’s chandelier, made in Germany, is also one of the largest in the world. The other Chandeliers are also gold plated and attractive.
Beautiful Islamic calligraphy and attractive tile work is done on the wall which Imam (prayer leader) faces when leading the prayers. The direction of the Imam and the other worshipers is towards the Holy Kaba in the holy city of Makkah.
The blue mats laid over on the hand woven carpet for the visitors to walk.
The Gardens:
The Grand Mosque is surrounded by beautiful gardens.
