Times of Oman
Muscat, Apr 8: Mosque is open to non-Muslims? Yes. But it does seem to amaze people when the answer is in the affirmative.
The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Bausher, a tribute to the rich Islamic heritage of Oman, is not just filled with namazis during prayer time but also with tourists in the mornings.
Non-Muslims (including women) are permitted to visit the Grand Mosque from 8am to 11am (Saturday to Wednesday) with a proper dress code. A swarm of tourists is seen almost everyday at the mosque admiring the fine specimen of Islamic architecture designed by architects Mohammed Saleh Makiya and Quad Design (of London and Muscat).
Yesterday, the impressive façade and the expansive courtyard of the mosque were brimming with tourists who had come from different countries to bask in the sunshine of Oman.
And no serious tourist goes back without a visit to the Grand Mosque.
One of the most impressive mosques in the region embracing an area of 416,000 square metres, the mosque is must-see on tourists’ itinerary.
Tourists are enchanted by most features of the mosque including the entrance courtyard, which leads to the arcaded riwaqs; the colossal hall, along with the exterior walls, which is entirely clad in off-white Bianco P and dark grey Bardiglio marble panelling sheathed in cut-tile work; the elegant carpet, measuring 70x60 metres and weighing 21 tonnes; the magnificent main chandelier dropping from the central dome which is made of Swarovski crystal and gold-plated metal work contaning 1,122 lamps and weighing eight tonnes. The carpet leaves many astounded: The pile is in fine wool, and the warp and weft in cotton yarn took the efforts of 600 women weavers.
A library and an Islamic Information Centre are housed in the mosque complex. The library is equipped with a collection of 20,000 books.
Facilities like computers, internet, photocopying, etc are available in the library. There is a lecture hall with a capacity to seat about 300 people. Regular lectures on different topics are organised regularly.
Visiting groups can take the help of guides who explain the architectural features of the splendid edifice.
Coming under the Sultan Qaboos Centre for Islamic Culture (under the Diwan of Royal Court) the mosque now stands as a crowning glory to the country’s distinct architecture.