15 Amazing

and

Beautiful Mosques in Pakistan

Mosques all over the world possess a rich history and are central to the Islamic faith. With the spread of Islam, mosques too have evolved, and with fusions in architectural styles from different cultures the effects of globalisation are evident. Although mosques are a place where worshippers come together to pray, they are also widely appreciated for their elaborate architecture. Famous for their structures, architecture and history, we look at a few of the most beautiful mosques in Pakistan.

1. Faisal Mosque, Islamabad

Located at the foot of Margalla Hills in Islamabad, the Faisal Mosque is shaped like a desert Bedouin’s tent. It is the work of noted Turkish architect Vedat Dalokay whose design was approved in an international competition in which architects from 17 countries participated. The construction of the mosque began in 1976 and was completed in 1986. The then king of Saudi Arabia, King Faisal bin Abdul Aziz took keen interest in the project and the construction was funded by the government of Saudi Arabia. The mosque and road leading to it are named after King Faisal bin Abdul Aziz.

Faisal mosque can accommodate 10,000 worshipers in its main prayer hall and in total it can accommodate about 250,000 worshipers in its porticoes, courtyard and adjoining grounds.

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2. Badshahi Mosque, Lahore

Badshahi Mosque was constructed between 1671 and 1673 by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir. With its elaborate courtyard and red brick structure, the mosque is also a famous tourist attraction. The courtyard of the mosque can accommodate up to 100,000 worshipers.

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3. Grand Jamia Mosque, Lahore

The Grand Jamia Masjid in Bahria Town, Lahore, is the third largest mosque in Pakistan and the 7th largest in the world. The cost of this mega mosque was approximately US$ 40 million. The Mosque was inaugurated on 6 October 2014 on the occasion of Eid ul Adha. The mosque can accommodate a total of 95,000 worshipers. It is an amazingly beautiful piece of traditional yet modern architecture and design. Handmade Multani tiles, custom made carpets from Turkey and chandeliers from Iran all add up to the beauty of this amazing mosque.

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4. Tooba Mosque, Karachi

Also known as the Gol Masjid, Masjid-e-Tooba is a single-dome mosque in Karachi’s Korangi area. The mosque was built using pure white marble and its central prayer hall has the capacity to hold up to 5,000 people. The building of the mosque is actually a huge dome which is claimed to be the biggest of any mosque in the world. The mosque was constructed in 1969. The central hall of the mosque has no supporting pillar and the dome is supported by the surrounding walls. The amazing thing about the hall is that a person speaking at one end of the hall can be heard clearly at the other end.

5. Wazir Khan Mosque, Lahore

Wazir Khan Mosque is located in “androon shehar” (Inner city) near the Delhi Gate. It was constructed around the year 1634. The mosque has beautiful Qashani tile work. The walls of the mosque are decorated with Calligraphy in Arabic and Persian. Wazir Khan Mosque is known for its extensive tile work. Built over the course of seven years, the mosque is one of the best examples of Mughal architecture.

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6. Shah Jahan Mosque, Thatta

As the name suggests, this beautiful mosque was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. It is located in Thatta in the Sindh province. It is said that Shah Jahan was so impressed by the hospitality of the people of Sindh that he gifted them this beautiful mosque. The walls of the mosque are decorated with mosaic tiles. And the domes have terracotta work on them. The mosque has a total of 101 Domes of different sizes and geometric motifs.

7. Mahabat Khan Mosque, Peshawar

This mosque was named after the governor of Peshawar Nawab Mahabat Khan. It is located near the famous Qissa Khwani Bazaar of Peshawar. Like most Mughal era mosques, this one also features beautiful calligraphy on the walls and strong attention to detail. There is a beautiful blue tiled pool for ablution in the central courtyard of the mosque.

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8. Shahi Eid Gah Mosque, Multan

Shahi Eid Gah mosque is a huge Mughal era mosque in Multan. It was built in 1735 by the then Mughal governor of Multan Nawab Abdul Samad Khan. The mosque has 7 domes and huge court yards. The interior of the mosque had beautiful blue tiles and traditional Islamic calligraphy.

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9. Bhong Masjid, Rahim Yar Khan

Bhong Masjid in the village of Bhong, Sadiqabad, Rahim Yar Khan has an amazing design, elegant calligraphic work and gold framed pictures of the holiest places of Islam. The extreme attention to detail on every aspect of the mosque justifies the 50 years taken for its construction. The mosque is exquisite in its architecture and decorative calligraphy.

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10. Ilyasi Masjid, Abbottabad

The Ilyasi Masjid in Nawan Shehar, Abbottabad district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, was built somewhere around 1927-1932. Spread over five kanals, the Ilyasi Masjid was constructed over a stream of water that flowed from the nearby mountain. The construction involved carving of the mountain for nearly three years. Ilyasi Masjid has a pond in front of it which is quite famous among tourists for swimming and boating.

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11. Shahi Masjid, Chitral

This beautiful mosque was built by Shuja-ul-Mulk in the 19th century. The mosque has pink walls, white dome and beautiful minarets. There is a spacious courtyard from where one can see Tirich Mir, the highest mountain of the Hindu Kush range.

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12. Dai Anga Masjid, Lahore

This historical mosque is located in the Naulakha near the Lahore Railway Station. It was built in 1635 by a lady named Dai Anga who was a wet nurse of Shah Jahan. Although a relatively small structure, it is notable for its refined use of decoration and its stately three-bay facade. It remains in an excellent state of preservation since Dai Anga took care to donate a substantial waqf (endowment) to ensure its maintenance after her death.

13. Masjid-e-Safina, Karachi

Located in the Dhobi Ghat area near Lyari stream of Karachi, Masjid-e-Safina looks like a boat. This beautiful mosque was constructed in 7 years with a cost of about 47.5 million rupees. This whole amount was donated by the general public and the locals of the area. This unique and beautiful piece of architecture has become the identity of the area.

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14. Moti Masjid, Lahore

Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) is located on the western side of the Lahore Fort and was constructed in the 17th century.It is a white marble structure built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan. The five-arched facade of this mosque distinguishes it from others.  It is a small mosque built with white marble. The interior of the mosque is plain and simple but the ceilings are well decorated.

15. Jhelum Cantonment Mosque, Jhelum

This beautiful mosque is located in Jhelum Cantonment. The construction of the mosque began in 1951 and was inaugurated by General Ayub Khan. 14 Punjab Regiment was responsible for its construction. The mosque has two huge minarets and few small minarets on the roof. The whole mosque is painted white and there is a lot of plantation around the mosque giving it a beautiful view.