Zawawi Mosque, Religious center in Muscat, Oman
The Zawawi Mosque is a religious building in Muscat featuring a distinctive pink marble dome covered in 22-carat gold leaf and a minaret reaching high into the sky. It contains separate prayer halls for men and women, each accessed through wooden doors decorated with detailed brass carvings.
Omar Zawawi commissioned this building in memory of his father Abdul-Mun'im Al-Zawawi, with its opening taking place in 1985. It represents an important example of contemporary religious architecture in Oman.
The interior walls display the complete Quranic text engraved on metal plates, blending spiritual practice with artistic expression. This approach creates a space where prayer and visual beauty reinforce each other.
Visitors must remove their shoes upon entry and wear modest clothing, particularly important for women. The best times to visit are outside prayer times, allowing for a peaceful exploration of the space.
The open courtyards feature inverted lotus-shaped domes that serve as ablution areas while also giving the building its distinctive silhouette. This architectural detail sets it apart from many other mosques in the region.
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