History and Architecture of Mosques
Mosques in Africa
Egypt
Al-Azhar Mosque is one of the finest piece of Muslim architecture in Cairo. It was established in 972 (361H) and first Friday prayer was held here on 22 June. A madrassa was also established beside the mosque which later turner into a university and thus making it the second oldest university in the world… Continue Reading
Mosque & Mausoleum of Sayyida Zainab
The mosque and mausoleum of Sayyida Zainab stands in the heart of a square in Cairo, named after Sayyida Zainab. Most historians believe that she was buried in Damascus, Syria but according to the Fatimids rulers of Egypt, in her last days she lived and passed away in Cairo… Continue Reading
Mosque of al-Abbas al-Mursi -Alexandria
The mosque of Abbas al-Mursi is located on Mosque Square overlooking the eastern harbour in Alexandria. An old mosque was built here in the 18th century close to the tomb of al-Mursi. al-Mursi was from al-Andalus (Spain) and he was born in Murcia in 1219 but came to live in Egypt… Continue Reading
al-Hakim Mosque – Cairo
Al-Hakim Mosque is located to the east of Muizz Street, just south of Bab Al-Futuh, it is also called al-Anwar Mosque (The Enlightened Mosque). This mosque is named after Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah (985–1021), the sixth Fatimid caliph of Egypt… Continue Reading
Muhammad Ali Pasha Mosque – Cairo
Mosque of Muhammad Ali is located inside the Cairo Citadel. Sometimes it is called the Alabaster Mosque due to the heavy use of the stone. Another name of this mosque is Qila Mosque (Mosque of the Citadel)… Continue Reading
Sultan Hassan Mosque & Madrassa – Cairo
Mosque and Madrassa of Sultan Hassan is located very close to the Cairo Citadel. There is a plaque on the wall which shows the date of construction of this mosque by Sultan Hassan in 1356, he was was the son of Sultan al-Nasir… Continue Reading
Cairo Citadel – Mosque of al-Nasir Muhammad
The Mosque of al-Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun is situated inside the Cairo Citadel. This mosque was built by al-Nasir Muhammad in 1318 during his third and longest reign (1309-1340) as the royal mosque of the citadel… Continue Reading
Mosque of Head of Imam Hussain – Cairo
The zarih (tomb) of burial of Imam Hussain’s head is located next to Khan el-Khalili Bazaar inside a mosque. A small park is also in front of the mosque and the square is called Medain Imam Hussain (Imam Hussain Square)… Continue Reading
Ibn Tulun Mosque
The Mosque of Ibn Tulun was built about two kilometers from the old community of Fustat (now Cairo) on a hill called Gebel Yashkur. This mosque was commissioned by Ibn Tulun (the Abbassid governor of Egypt) in 876 and it was completed in 879… Continue Reading
Mosque of Amr Ibn al-As – Cairo
Mosque of Amr Ibn al-As is also known as the Mosque of Amr, it is the first ever mosque built in Egypt and the African Continent. It stands on a small hill in Fustat (Old Cairo)… Continue Reading
Rifai Mosque – Cairo
Rifai or al-Rifai Mosque is very close to Cairo Citadel and to the opposite side of the Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan in Cairo… Continue Reading
Sarghatmish Mosque & Madrassa
Rifai or al-Rifai Mosque is very close to Cairo Citadel and to the opposite side of the Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan in Cairo… Continue Reading
Sarghatmish Mosque & Madrassa
Sayyida Nafisa Mosque in Cairo is built over the tomb of her. Sayyida Nafisa was the great granddaughter of Holy Prophet… Continue Reading
Morocco
Kairaouine Mosque is one of Africa’s oldest mosque and possible the oldest university in the world, established in 859 by Fatima El Fihri… Continue Reading
Mosques in Fez are an integral part of the city and people’s daily life. They are not only places of worship but also masterpieces of the Moroccan architecture … Continue Reading
Mosques in Asia
Iran
Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque – Isfahan
Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque is one of the most famous mosques in Isfahan. It was the first structure to be built in the Naqsh-i Jahan Square. The construction of this mosque started in 1603 and was finished in 1619. Shah Abbas I of the Safavid dynasty built this mosque for his personal use… Continue Reading
Wooden Mosque – Nishapur
The Wooden Mosque, locally it is known as “Chubi Masjid” is a wooden structure with two minarets rising above from it. They are minarets are 12m in height. Handles of the door were also made out of the wood. One had to put hand from the side in order to open it.… Continue Reading
Hakim Mosque – Isfahan
The Hakim Mosque is located in Isfahan at a street with the same name, it was originally built as a part of a larger complex. This mosque was built between 1656-1662, during the reign of Shah Abbas II. Current mosque is built on an old site where once a tenth century mosque stood… Continue Reading
Jame Atiq Mosque – Shiraz
Jame Atiq Mosque of Shiraz is one of the oldest mosques in Iran. It was first built in 875 during the reign of Saffarid ruler Amr bin al-Lais. Most of the present day building dates from the 17th century. The original structure used to have six iwans and few shabestans but only few had survived… Continue Reading
Vakil Mosque – Shiraz
Vakil Mosque in Shiraz is located west of the Vakil Bazaar. This mosque was built between 1751-1773 during the Zand period. Shiraz was the governing seat of the Zand dynasty and it has left everlasting effects on this city’s art and the Vakil Mosque is considered one of the bests in Shiraz… Continue Reading
Hazira Mosque, Yazd
Hazira Mosque is located at Imam Street. A very noticeable thing about this mosque is its’ beautifully decorated entrance gate. It has a high ceiling which is supported by tall pillars … Continue Reading
Jame Mosque of Yazd
Jame Mosque of Yazd is known for its’ tall minarets and a beautiful entry door. A mosque stood at this site in the 12th century (6th Hijri), the current mosque dates from 1324 and it was built during the reign of Ilkhanid… Continue Reading
Agha Bozorg Mosque, Kashan
Agha Bozorg Mosque of Kashan was built by Ustad Haj Sa’ban Ali in the late 18th century. This mosque is one of the finest Islamic complex in Kashan, known for its precise architecture … Continue Reading
Jame Mosque – Isfahan
Jame Mosque of Isfahan has four iwans in total built around a central courtyard. A mosque existed at this site in the 8th century but current mosque has it’s roots in the 11th century… Continue Reading
Shah Mosque – Isfahan
Shah Mosque, also known as Imam Mosque or New Abbasi Masjid is situated on the southern side of Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan… Continue Reading
Nasir al-Molk Mosque – Shiraz
Nasir al-Molk Mosque is located at the end of a small street beside Lotf Ali Khan Zand Street in Shiraz. At the back of this mosque is the shrine of Shah Cheragh… Continue Reading
Palestine & Israel
Mosque & Dome of Ascension – Jerusalem
The Mosque of Ascension is situated at the Mount of Olives. It is also known as the Chapel of Ascension and this is the place, where according to tradition Jesus ascended to heaven 40 days after resurrection… Continue Reading
Marwani Mosque – Jerusalem
Marwani Mosque is located to the south-east side of the al-Aqsa Mosque,this underground mosque covers 500 square metres in area, next to the Southern Wall of Jerusalem. Its prayer hall can hold up to 7000 worshippers… Continue Reading
al-Aqsa Mosque Exterior – Jerusalem
The name al-Aqsa means ‘farthest mosque’, a reference to the journey Muhammad is believed to have made on his way to heaven… Continue Reading
al-Aqsa Mosque Interior – Jerusalem
al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem was the first Qibla for the Muslims, but later Qibla was changed to Kaaba. The interior of the Al-Aqsa… Continue Reading
Ibrahimi Mosque – Hebron
al-Jawali and Ibrahimi mosques are attached to each other by a passageway. Inside the Ibrahimi Mosque, a dome like structure has a cave… Continue Reading