Mosques are central to the Islamic faith; each possesses its own rich routed history. Appreciated for their cascading domes, slender minarets and intricated ravelled art; from the ancient beauty of Badshahi mosque to futuristic lines of Faisal mosque, Pakistan has some of the world’s most impressive, largest, and beautiful mosques.
Beginning in the Arabian Peninsula. Today mosques can be found on all the most populous continents. They are not only known as a place for spiritual practice and dedication, but they have also been a sight to behold for centuries. Tourists from all over the world visit Pakistan to study the beauty and art that accounts for each mosque’s historical significance.
Here we present some of the most important, famous, and prominent mosques in Pakistan.
Starting off with Faisal masjid having eight-sided concrete shells is shaped liked a desert Bedouin’s tent. It is named after the Saudi King ‘Faisal Bin Abdul-Aziz.’ Dominating the landscape of Islamabad, it stands at an elevated position at the foot of the Margalla Hills. Faisal mosque is one of the most famous places to see in Islamabad.
A contemporary and influential piece of Islamic architecture that can accommodate more than 300,000 worshippers in its porticoes, courtyard and adjoining grounds. It is the work of noted Turkish architect Vedat Dalokay whose design was approved in an international competition in which architects from 17 countries participated.
The architectural nod of the mosque is positioned towards Kaaba. Unlike the traditional mosque design, it does not have a dome, the minaret draws on the traditional Turkish design, slender and pencil-shaped. If you are travelling and looking for accommodation in Islamabad, there are some amazing yet affordable hotels in Islamabad and the best guest houses in Islamabad.
A breath-taking building located in the west heart of Lahore which has been one of the most visited spots in Lahore. It’s visited by many celebrities and public figures including the Princess of Wales, Diana, and most recently the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William, and Kate Middleton.
Representing the grandeur of the Mughal era. It was built by the sixth Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1671 and completed in 1673. The artistry in the arches, stucco tracery and intricate frescoes, embellished with red sandstone and marble inlay is all that makes it ever so fascinating. With an elaborated courtyard and red brick structure, it was the first largest mosque in Pakistan until Faisal mosque took the title. The courtyard of the mosque can accommodate up to 100,000 worshipers. Being in the ideal Allama Iqbal park with other historical monuments have made it a more valued and the main tourist attraction of Lahore.
A single-dome mosque located in Karachi’s Korangi area, it is also known as the Gol Masjid.
Its distinctive architecture built using pure white marble was designed by Pakistani architect Dr Babar Hamid Chauhan and the engineering services were carried out by Zaheer Haider Naqvi.
The mosque’s primary prayer hall can hold up to 5,000 worshippers. This one of the most attractive mosques of Pakistan is situated in Karachi, Sindh province.
It was built in 1969 and the eighteenth largest mosque in the world. The dome is 236 feet in diameter and rests on an enclosed wall without a central pillar. Its minaret is 70-meter-high. If you are in Karachi do visit top restaurants in Karachi serving piping hot food to their customers.
Located in Lahore, Wazir Khan is famous for its extensive tile work. It is described as ‘a mole on the cheek in Lahore’. It is one of the most visited historical places in Pakistan.
It was built during the seven years reign of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, commissioned by the Mughal governor of Lahore named Shaikh Ilum Uddin Ansari who was commonly known as Wazir Khan. The construction was started in 1634 and completed in 1635. Since it is situated in the downtown abbey of Lahore it can easily be reached through Delhi Gate.
The Mosque’s distinctive onion-shaped domes and minarets covered in mosaics, consisting of brightly colored tiles depict its true artistry. Not just a place for worship it’s more than art engraved with stunning calligraphy verses of the Holy Qur’an and Persian poetry with floral designs.
The 17th-century mosque tucked away in the western part of Chowk Yadgar in Peshawar. It is famous for its gorgeous geometric design and was named after the Mughal ruler of Peshawar Nawab Muhabat Khan. He was designated as governor in the reign of 2 great Mughal emperors, Aurangzeb and Shah Jahan. The mosque was built in 1630. A washbasin in the middle of the courtyard and rows of rooms on both sides can be seen in its open courtyard.
The prayer hall is located on the west side, surrounded by two tall minarets. The interior of the auditorium is protected by three low groove domes, painted in beautifully contrasting colours with floral and geometric patterns.
As the name says it all, built during the reign of Mughal King Shah Jahan. It has been known that the mosque was gifted to the people of the town for their hospitality during his royal visit.
The design was influenced by Timurid architectural styles from Central Asia − from where the previous rulers of Sindh, the Tarkhans, had hailed before the region was annexed by the Mughals in 1592.
Situated in the provincial town of Thatta, 60 miles from Karachi, in the Sindh province.
Famous for its 100 domes and world’s only mosque having such number of domes are made from red bricks each decorated with a mosaic of radiating blue and white tiles; it is known for a remarkable echo which means that the prayer can be heard from anywhere in the building. It is listed on the tentative UNESCO World Heritage list since 1993. The construction of the mosque was completed in 1647.
The next famous mosque on our list is Grand Jamia Mosque which is located in Lahore’s Bahria Town, it is among the largest in the world. An amazing, beautiful piece of traditional yet modern architecture and design. Lahore has some of the best architects in Pakistan.
The mosque is a very recent addition to the city and can accommodate at least 70,000 worshippers. It is the third greatest mosque in Pakistan and the seventh-largest in the world.
A beautiful addition to Lahore’s skyline, whose imposing structure was designed by Nayyar Ali Dada in 2014. The mosque’s interior design is covered by over four million handcrafted tiles from Multan. What adds to its grand beauty is that it is decorated with custom-made Turkish carpets and 50 chandeliers imported from Iran. To top it all, it also has an Islamic heritage museum with rare Quranic collections, an Islamic library, and an Islamic art gallery.
The cost of this mega-mosque was approximately US$ 40 million and can accommodate a total of 95,000 worshipers. It was inaugurated on 6 October 2014 on the day of Eid-ul-Adha.
The pearl of Lahore. The most fascinating thing about it is that it has many stories, myths, and mysteries associated with it. This small mosque is known to have spirits and ghosts. The mosque was also built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in 1645. It is named Moti Masjid or Pearl Mosque because of its white pearl-like color and small size. Shah Jahan built three Moti Masjids, the first in Lahore, the second at Agra Fort in 1654 and the third at Red Fort Delhi in 1662. All these mosques are called Moti Masjid.
Over time through globalization and advent of Islam, the world has seen an evolution in the architectural styles of mosques fusing together different cultures. These are some of the top picks from our side that must be visited once you are in Pakistan. Let us know what you think in the comments!
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