Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque (Arabic جامع السلطان قابوس الأكبر, DMG Ǧāmi ʿ al- Sultan Qaboos al - akbar ) is the main mosque in Oman. It is considered one of the most important buildings in the country and one of the world's largest mosques.
The construction of the plant, it was decided in 1992 by Sultan Qaboos. After a limited architectural competition was started in 1995 with the construction work that could be completed in 2001 with the opening ceremony. She wears since the name of the builder.
The whole complex was built from 300,000 tonnes of Indian sandstone and built over a total of 4 hectares consists of a large men's prayer hall, a smaller woman's prayer hall, five minarets ( they symbolize the five pillars of Islam ), two large archways (Arabic Riwaqs ) an Islamic Information Centre as well as a library.
Architectural History
Sultan Qaboos decided in 1992 to build a Omani central mosque. The aim of the construction project was the construction of the largest Friday mosque in Oman and the creation of a center for the dissemination of the Islamic religion ibaditischer orientation, which should serve the interest of Islamic literature and culture.
Then, in 1993 by the royal court (English Diwan of Royal Court ) was announced a limited architectural competition. For this purpose, nine architectural firms were invited. Among the nine work submitted by the Community design by architect Mohammed Saleh Makiya Makiya Associates from the office and the architects of quad design was chosen as the winner ( based in London both).
As the site is a 416 hectare area in the municipal area was (Arabic Niyaba ) of al - Ghubra in the administrative district (Arabic wilaya ) Bawshar Governorate (Arabic Muhafaza ) Muscat selected. The situation of the mosque on the main road between Muscat and Sib was chosen because of the good transport links. In addition, many passers-by can see on this important transit route to the mosque from the car.
In the spring of 1995, started the construction work. As a general contractor, Carillion Alawi LLC was commissioned. First, the building of the Omani architectural tradition was piled up accordingly from street to secure the mosque an exalted place. The actual construction took six years. The mosque was finally inaugurated on 4 May 2001 by Sultan Qaboos, which since then bears his name.
The construction costs were originally calculated with 18 million Omani Rial; This corresponds to approximately 47 million U.S. $ and € 33 million. However, the actual construction costs are estimated to be at least double.
Description
Exterior
One enters the mosque from the south through a high arch, on the on the left side in Arabic " Great Mosque " and on the other side texts from the Koran are read. In the line of sight, two other high arches, - perspective to slip through the 91.5 m high main minaret - together with its embedded in the pavement dark marble strips. At the four corners of the area, four more minarets rise with 45 m height. In addition to the main entrance, a special entrance for women, which is only open during prayer times exist.
Immediately after the main entrance is on the right hand, the three-storey public library with 20,000 volumes, covering various disciplines; For example, there are books on Islam, but also to find the natural sciences. On the left side, the Islamic Information Center is (English: Islamic Information Centre ) with an event hall with 300 seats. Here every second Sunday offered lectures on Islam in English.
After the two buildings, the first Riwaq ( archway ) is transverse in west-east direction, at both ends of each rises a minaret; the second Riwaq parallel thereto on the north side. In both Riwaqs In total there are twelve different niches that are implemented differently in marble, ceramic or mosaic. On billboards, information on the used style, the geographic region in which this style was originated or predominantly used, and a time stamp to file in which epoch this style is. In the northern Riwaq example is niche, pick up the motives of Oman and the Arabian Peninsula or show Byzantine ornaments. In the southern Riwaq among other mosaics of Indian Islam and the Hijaz - strain are shown. In addition, the washrooms for the men on the left and the women are in the Riwaqs on the right side. They serve the ritual ablutions Wudu ' before prayer.
If you continue north through the second high arch leads into a square atrium. The entrance gates are located on the left side of the court for men's prayer hall. Going to the right, leads to a courtyard, the so-called inner Sahn provided for prayer in the open air. This is followed by the woman 's prayer hall connects. The open space around the mosque is called external Sahn, which can also include additional faithful during Friday prayers. The paved outdoor area has space for 8,000 worshipers. If we add to the prayer halls all other patios and walkways added, the total capacity of the plant is 20,000 believers.
South entrance with view of the dome and the main minaret
Line of sight from the main entrance to the main minaret
Riwaq ( archway )
Inner Sahn
Outside Sahn
Interior
The big men 's prayer hall is square and measures applied in the external dimensions 74.4 m × 74.4 m. It offers space for 6,500 worshipers. You can enter the hall by one of the three large entrance doors. The wooden doors are decorated hand carved and rich.
The fact laid 4293.45 m² prayer rug ( 70.50 m × 60.90 m ) is regarded as a masterpiece of Iranian carpet weaving. The preparation of this handmade carpet led to the limits of technical feasibility. For this size, there are no weaving chairs. Therefore, the carpet in several pattern compliant parts had to be manufactured. These were knotted at Nishapur in the eastern Iranian province of Razavi Khorasan. Six hundred weavers were three years in two layers involved in the production of the items. In this case, 1.7 billion nodes, a total of wrapped around the cotton chain. Then the items were transported to Muscat and sewn together on site. This took another four months to complete. Overall, the carpet weighs 22 tons. A price was not disclosed, but in 2000 to 5.2 million U.S. dollars (about 5.5 million euros ) estimated. Until the inauguration of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, with its 5,625 square meters and 47 tons prayer rug he was the largest carpet in the world. The Iranian designers created a classic pattern whose ornamentation is inspired by the Safavid era and displays classic themes of Isfahan. The circular medallion lies precisely in the round the central dome, whose ceiling color find themselves in the twenty-eight tuned plants tones of the carpet coloring. Non- believers are not allowed in the prayer rug. Therefore - and to protect the precious fabric - is during visiting times on the carpet, a blue runner laid, the one must not leave.
The richly decorated with calligraphy and arabesques wooden ceiling is the optical counterpart of the carpet dar. About the room to warp a 50 m high dome that hangs in the middle of one of the largest chandelier in the world. Its basic structure is made of gold-plated metal. It carries 1,122 lamps, is richly festooned with Swarovski crystals and weighs 8 tons. Was manufactured the chandelier from the company Faustig. To further illumination 11 more crystal chandeliers have been hung next to it.
The prayer hall for women can accommodate 750 worshipers and is comparatively modest. Since men are not allowed to be present during the prayer in the women's prayer room, the Friday prayer from the main prayer room on the video screen is transferred directly into the hall. The two halls have in common only the big watches in 14 -carat gold. The building is crowned by six smaller domes. In-room amenities include nine gold plated crystal chandelier in the Ottoman style.
Large chandelier in the men's prayer hall
Washing facilities
Library: workstations with internet access
Library: Reading Room on the ground floor
Library reference collection
Outdoor facilities
At the mosque, a madrasa is (English: Institute of Islamic Sciences) affiliated. These features on the site in addition to classrooms and a dormitory. Here the Ibadite of Islam is taught. It is located south of the mosque complex. In the vicinity of the mosque parking were created. In addition, there are many palm trees were planted to green the immediate vicinity of the mosque.