Mosques

Mosques are Muslim places of worship and prayer. The word "mosque" comes from the Arabic masjid, which is related to the word for "prostration." Muslims are expected to pray five times a day, preferrably in a mosque: morning, midday, afternoon, sunset, and evening. A muezzin calls the worshippers to prayer from a minaret (Arabic manara, a tower). Included in our index are some Islamic places of worship that are not technically mosques, such as the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem (a Muslim shrine) and the Mezquita de Cordoba (now a cathedral).

Tips for visiting mosques: Some mosques do not admit non-Muslims into the buildings, but most of those listed below do allow tourists to enjoy their sacred spaces and beautiful interiors. Visiting is only permitted outside of prayer times. Modest dress is required for both men and women and women must cover their heads. Wraps are provided when deemed necessary by mosque officials. If it often necessary for visitors to remove their shoes at the entrance. Some mosques can be cold in the winter, so consider warm socks! Even outside the designated prayer times, one will usually find a few Muslims performing prayers in the mosque. Be quiet and respectful, and try not to walk in front of them (some Muslims feel that would imply they are bowing down before a person instead of God).

Below is an illustrated index of the 44 mosques profiled on Sacred Destinations so far. For photo credits, please see corresponding articles.

Featured Mosques

Ibn Tulun Mosque

Cairo, Egypt

Built by Ahmad Ibn Tulun in 879, this is the oldest mosque in Egypt and the third largest in the world. It is also famed for its lovely architecture and unique minaret.

Kairaouine Mosque

Fes, Morocco

Founded in 857 by a wealthy woman from Tunisia, the Kairaouine is the second-largest mosque in Morocco and the country's spiritual center. Its minaret, dating from 956, is Morocco's oldest.

Great Mosque of Damascus (Umayyad Mosque)

Damascus, Syria

This historic 7th-century mosque stands on a site that has been sacred since 1000 BC. It has medieval mosaics on the facade and a shrine to John the Baptist inside.

The Prophet's Mosque

Medina, Saudi Arabia

This huge mosque stands over the site of the Prophet Muhammad's house and tomb and is the second holiest mosque in the world after al-Haram in Mecca.

Al-Masjid al-Haram (The Holy Mosque)

Mecca, Saudi Arabia

The holiest mosque in the world, the Haram Mosque has been much expanded from its original 7th-century form. Today it can accommodate up to 820,000 worshippers in air-conditioned comfort.

Hassan II Mosque

Casablanca, Morocco

Completed in 1993, this is the second largest mosque in the world and the tallest structure in Morocco. Spectacularly situated on the Atlantic Ocean, it is filled with exquisite carvings.