Friday Mosque of Herat, Islamic worship complex in Herat, Afghanistan

The Friday Mosque of Herat is a large mosque in central Herat, Afghanistan, with a high central facade covered in blue, turquoise and white geometric tilework. The central section rises above flanking wings and holds a deep pointed arch recess; a cylindrical minaret with a blue domed top stands to the right, and the facade ends in a second tall pointed arch. Arched openings line the lower wall, and a wide tiled plaza lies in front.

The current structure arose from 1200 under Sultan Ghiyath al-Din Muhammad, replacing an earlier wooden building from the 11th century that no longer sufficed. Later rulers added portals and ornament, especially after the Timurid reign in the 15th century.

The building takes its name from the Muslim day of congregational prayer and continues to welcome believers from across the province for weekly gatherings. Local artisans renew and maintain the tilework using traditional methods, preserving centuries-old knowledge of ceramic craftsmanship.

The worship complex opens daily at prayer times for men and women in separate sections, while travelers require permission from local authorities. A visit works best outside main prayer times, when the compound is less crowded and the interior is more calmly accessible.

The 1.74-metre bronze basin commissioned in 1375 by the last Kart ruler still sits in the mosque, surviving later demolitions with only a few scratches. The mosque's name, Masjid-i Jami, marks it as the city's Friday congregational mosque.