Muscat’s Ten Most Beautiful Mosques

Mosques provide a great opportunity to explore Muscat from a cultural, historic, and architectural aspect – and we thought of showcasing our Top Ten Most Beautiful Mosques in Muscat. Many of the mosques listed below are also some of the world’s most extravagant worship structures that cost hundreds of millions of dollars. A number of these mosques are also open to non-Muslims to enter and explore free of charge.

10) Al Zawawi Mosque مسجد الزواوي

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Al Zawawi Mosque مسجد الزواوي is located in Al Khuwair and was opened in 1985. This mosque was built by the Al Zawawi family in memory one of their family members. Al Zawawi mosque is setup on a square in the Ministries District of Al Khuwair that looks like an oasis of golden elegance in the increasingly busyness of Al Khuwair. The whole text of the Quran is inscribed on metallic plates found on the interior walls of the mosque. Al Zawawi mosque is not open for Non-Muslims.

9) Sultan Taimur bin Faisal Mosque جامع السلطان تيمور بن فيصل

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Sultan Taimur bin Faisal Mosque جامع السلطان تيمور بن فيصل was built in memory of the grandfather of Sultan Qaboos. It is located in Mabilah North and was opened in the year 2012. The mosque is built in the style of 16th century Mongolic structures and also features many elements of modern Omani royal architecture. Sultan Taimur bin Faisal Mosque is open to Non-Muslims between 8am to 11am Saturday to Thursday.

8) Sayyidah Maizoon bint Ahmed Mosque جامع السيدة ميزون بنت أحمد

Sayyidah Maizoon bint Ahmed Mosque جامع السيدة ميزون بنت أحمد was built in memory of the mother of Sultan Qaboos. Maizoon Mosque is located Al Mawalih and was first opened in the year 2006. The mosque is built in a breathtakingly minimalist outer design and is full of intricate delicate calligraphy engravings in its interior hall. Maizoon Mosque is not open to non-Muslims.

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7) Talib bin Mohammed Mosque مسجد طالب بن محمد

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Talib bin Mohammed Mosque مسجد طالب بن محمد is one of the most unique mosques in Muscat. It is located in Muttrah in a small ally behind Souq Muttrah and has a unique minaret full of colors reminiscent of those used in Hindu temples. Very little information is available about the history of this mosque, but it seems to be named after an old businessman called Talib bin Mohammed Al Zakwani who owns a number of properties near the mosque. Talib bin Mohammed Mosque is not open to non-Muslims.

6) Mosque of the Great Prophet مسجد الرسول الأعظم (Al Rasool Al A’dham Mosque)

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Mosque of the Great Prophet مسجد الرسول الأعظم (Al Rasool Al A’dham Mosque) is the principal mosque for the Lawati tribe in Muscat. It is located on the corniche of Muttrah and was originally built in the 15th century. The mosque was renovated numerous times over the years the last of which was in the 90s. The Mosque of the Great Prophet features a gorgeous blue dome and a blue minaret with Quranic scriptures. Various Shia ceremonies and celebrations can be seen outside the mosque during special times of the year. The Mosque of the Great Prophet is not open to Non-Muslims.

3) Sultan Said bin Taimur Mosqueجامع السلطان سعيد بن تيمور

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Sultan Said bin Taimur Mosque جامع السلطان سعيد بن تيمور is built in the memory of the father of Sultan Qaboos, it is located in Al Khuwair near the Technical College and was first opened in the year 1999. The mosque is built in the style of Ottoman mosques which are found in Turkey and features a breathtaking blend of colors and calligraphy. Sultan Said bin Taimur mosque is not open to non-Muslims.

4) Al Khor Mosque مسجد الخور

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Al Khor Mosque مسجد الخور is located behind the Al Alam Palace and Al Mirani Fort in Old Muscat. It it was built in the late 19th century and renovated multiple times over the years, most recently in the year 1980 by Sultan Qaboos. The mosque is commonly known as the Mosque of the Family in reference to the Royal Family of Oman. Al Khor mosque features a tiled ceiling with scriptures of the 99 divine names of Allah and two almost fully tinted glass side walls. Interestingly, this mosque does not have a large ceiling dome. Al Khor Msoque is open to non-Muslims between 8am and 11am Saturday to Thursday.

3) Al Zulfa Mosque جامع الزلفى

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Commonly known as the Royal Guards of Oman Mosque, Al Zulfa Mosque جامع الزلفى is one of the most unique mosques in the Sultanate. It was first opened in the year 1992 and is located in Al Seeb on the Sultan Qaboos Highway. Al Zulfa Mosque features more than 20 domes and a unique tinted glasswork around the mihrab section of the prayer hall. Al Zulfa mosque is not open to non-Muslims.

2) Mohammed Al Ameen Mosque جامع محمد الأمين

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The second most on our Top Ten Mosques of Muscat list is Mohammed Al Ameen Mosque جامع محمد الأمين, sometimes referred to as Bahwan Mosque. Mohammed Al Ameen mosque is often mistaken by visitors to Muscat as the Grand Mosque due to its striking location in Bawshar that can be seen from almost any highway going towards Muscat. Though privately financed, the Al Ameen Mosque is in the scale of a royal Omani mosques with a Persian Carpet of ~2,500 sq.m reputed to be the third largest handmade carpet in the world. Mohammed Al Ameen mosque is open for non-Muslims.

1) Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque جامع السلطان قابوس الأكبر

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Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque جامع السلطان قابوس الأكبر is the grand jewel of royal Omani architecture and one of the most gorgeous  mosques ever built. It is located in Bawshar on the Sultan Qaboos Highway and cannot be missed. Its hand made Persian rug and its Swarovski crystal chandelier were both at some point considered the largest in the world. Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is open to Non-Muslims between 8am to 11am Saturday to Thursday.