Musjids of the World Series: 3

The Musjid serves as the focal point of any Muslim community and is the most important structure to Muslims.

The Grand Mosque of Damascus, Syria also known as Ummayad Musjid is said to contain the head of John the Baptist (Prophet Yahya alaihis salaam), the head of Hussein radhiallahu anhu, grandson of the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, and the tomb of Salahuddin in an adjoining garden. The Musjid was built 706-715. The building was one of the marvels of the world, one of the largest of its time. The interior is mainly plain white. It used to have the largest golden mosaic in the world at 4,000m². The southeast minaret is called the Minaret of Jesus alaihis salaam where Muslims believe that Jesus u will appear at the end of the world.

Shah Faisal Masjid, Islamabad, Pakistan, is one of the largest in the world. King Faisal of Saudi Arabia suggested it. The Musjid was opened in 1986 and funded by Saudi Arabia at a cost of R800 million. It covers 5,000m² with a capacity of 300,000 worshippers. Its unusual design fuses contemporary lines with the traditional look of an Arab Bedouin tent, with its triangular prayer hall and 4 minarets which borrow their design from Turkish tradition.

The Great Mosque of Samarra, Iraq was built 848-852 by caliph Al-Mutawakkil. It was one of the largest Musjids in the world; its Malwiya Minaret, is 52 meters high. In 2005, the top of the minaret was damaged when US troops were using it as a lookout post. The Musjid features in popular PC games like Civilization 4.






The Markazi Musjid, Dewsbury, England is one of the largest Musjids in the UK, one of the biggest purpose-built mosques in Europe and can hold 4,000 worshippers. The Musjid is run by the Tablighi Jamaat and serves as their European headquarters. It houses a Darul Uloom with 200 students.