Faisal Mosque

The Faisal Mosque is the national mosque of Pakistan, located in Islamabad, the capital of the country. It is the sixth-largest mosque in the world and sits on the foothills of the Margalla Hills. The mosque is named after the late King Faisal of Saudi Arabia.

Designed by Turkish architect Vedat Dalokay, the Faisal Mosque has a unique, modern look. Instead of a traditional dome, it looks like a Bedouin tent with eight sides made of concrete. The design also includes four very tall minarets.

Construction of the mosque began in 1976 thanks to a generous gift from Saudi King Faisal. Over time, the mosque became a famous spot for visitors and a beautiful example of Islamic architecture. Today, it remains an important landmark in Islamabad, close to the Pakistan Monument and the stunning Himalayas.

History

The Faisal Mosque started as an idea in 1966. King Faisal bin Abdul-Aziz supported Pakistan's plan to build a national mosque in Islamabad. In 1969, architects from many countries entered a competition. A Turkish architect named Vedat Dalokay won with his unique design. Construction began in 1976 and finished in 1986. The mosque was named after King Faisal, who helped pay for it. The first prayers were held there in 1988. The large grounds were once a university, but the university moved to a new campus in 2000. Some people at first did not like the mosque’s modern style because it looked different from older mosques.

Capacity

The Faisal Mosque can hold about 300,000 people for prayers. It has four tall minarets, each 90 metres (300 feet) high, the tallest in South Asia. Inside, the main hall and courtyards fit up to 74,000 people, and the grounds can hold another 200,000.

Architecture

The Faisal Mosque was designed by Vedat Dalokay. He wanted to show the spirit of the Kaaba in a new way. The main hall looks like a tent, inspired by the tents of the Bedouin people. There are four tall minarets at the corners of the hall. These minarets are inspired by Turkish architecture.

The main prayer hall is supported by four strong concrete beams. The mosque’s design mixes modern ideas with classic Islamic styles. Inside, the walls are covered in beautiful white marble, with decorations by the artist Sadequain. There is also a special chandelier in Turkish style.

Topography

The Faisal Mosque is at the foot of the Margalla Hills. This gives it a special place in the landscape. From far away, you can see the mosque because it is higher than much of the city. It looks out over Islamabad and is backed by green mountains, making a beautiful view. A major road, Faisal Avenue, leads straight to the mosque, showing how important it is to the city. The bright white color of the mosque stands out against the dark green hills, making it a special landmark in Islamabad.

References in literature

The Faisal Mosque is in the book The Kite Runner by Khalid Hosseini. It is also in the work of Michael Muhammad Knight, who visited the mosque to study Islam when he was young.