The Arabic word masjid, or mosque, means much more than a place of prayer for Muslims around the world. In addition, mosques give us different architectural and cultural insights related to their regions. There are plenty of architectural marvels in the UAE, but the beauty and historical importance of these sacred places of worship have been attracting visitors for years now.
The Mosques in the UAE have been symbol of traditional Islamic values of diverse Muslim civilizations. They are of great religious importance to Muslims but their architecture is stunning and attracts non Muslim visitors as well. The cultural hub of the United Arab Emirates, Sharjah, has an incredible collection of mosques that draw a lot of visitors throughout the year.
Sharjah’s top 5 biggest mosques are the perfect examples of unique architecture and their cultural significance.
1. King Faisal Mosque
This Mosque was named after H.H. King Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and is regarded as an astounding architectural creation and also one of the biggest mosques of UAE. King Faisal Mosque was inaugurated in 1987 and at first could accommodate up to 16,000 worshippers and has since grown to hold up to 300,000 worshippers. One of the must see mosques of Sharjah, its unique structure makes it stand out from other mosques in Sharjah.
Location: Al Soor
2. Sharjah Mosque
Sharjah Mosque is both modern and traditional. The mosque, which opened in 2019, is the largest one in Sharjah and can hold 25,000 worshippers, including more than 5,000 indoor seats. There is beautiful Quranic calligraphy throughout the mosque and an eye catching chandelier in the main prayer hall. This mosque, built at a cost of AED 300 million, is also open to non Muslims that want to sightsee the mosque's grandeur.
Location: Al Tay
3. Al Noor Mosque
Al Noor Mosque is an example of Ottoman era inspired architecture with its location under Sharjah’s dazzling blue skies. One of Sharjah’s most picturesque mosques shares its cascading domes and twin minarets with Istanbul’s Blue Mosque. This mosque holds 2,200 worshippers and conducts free tours to non–Muslims to learn about Islamic and Emirati heritage, gazing at its intricate architectural features.
Location: Sharjah Corniche
4. Al Sakina Mosque
Al Sakina Mosque is not as large as any of the other mosques on this list but it is an architectural masterpiece. The mosque also boasts a 35.15 meter high minaret and a spherical dome. It is a mosque with a capacity of 900 worshippers, including female worshippers’ section and modern Islamic architectural elements.
Location: Al Rahmaniyah 4
5. Al Safaa Mosque
The Al Safaa Mosque attempts to bridge tradition Islamic design with modern elements to create a serene space of worship. The mosque has 5 domes and a 21 meter high minaret on a 4,601 square meter area. The place has a capacity of 500 worshippers, 65 of whom are for women, and it is an ideal place for peaceful prayers.
Location: Al Atain
However, Sharjah’s mosques do more than sanctuaries of worship, it is the last remnants which unveil the region’s glorified Islamic heritage and architectural brilliance. King Faisal Mosque to Al Noor Mosque, all sites are quite different. Regardless of whether you’re looking for the spiritual or architectural endeavors of these mosques, they’re definitely worth a visit.
The design and meaning of these structures put them forth as historical points of faith and culture, bridging the distance between the present and the past. A trip to these holy spots enables the visitor to fully appreciate Sharjah’s cultural heritage and its duty with respect to preserving Islamic traditions.
