Faisal Mosque Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Faisal Mosque
فیصل مسجد

Coordinates: 33°43′48″N 73°02′18″E / 33.729944°N 73.038436°E / 33.729944; 73.038436
Location	Islamabad
Administration	International Islamic University, Islamabad
Architectural information
Architect(s)	Vedat Dalokay
Style	Modern Islamic
Capacity	&&&&&&&&&0300000.&&&&&0300,000 worshippers
Minaret(s)	4
Minaret height	90 m (300 ft)
Construction cost	US$120,000,000

The Faisal Mosque (Urdu: فیصل مسجد, romanized: faisal masjid) is Pakistan's national mosque. It is located in Islamabad, the capital city. This mosque is one of the largest in the world. It is the biggest mosque outside the Middle East. It is also the largest in South Asia. The mosque sits at the foot of the Margalla Hills in Islamabad. It is named after the late King Faisal of Saudi Arabia. The mosque has a very modern design. It looks like a traditional Bedouin tent with eight sides.

The Faisal Mosque is a popular place for tourists in Pakistan. Its unique design makes it an important example of Islamic architecture.

Building the Faisal Mosque
History of the Mosque
How Many People Can Fit?
Mosque Design and Art
Location and Views
Gallery
See also

Building the Faisal Mosque

Construction of the mosque started in 1976. Saudi King Faisal gave $28 million for the project. The mosque is named after him. A Turkish architect named Vedat Dalokay designed the mosque. His design was chosen after a big international competition. The mosque does not have a typical dome. Instead, it looks like a Bedouin tent. It has four tall minarets, each about 79 meters (260 feet) high. The main prayer hall has eight-sided, sloping roofs. It can hold 10,000 worshippers inside.

The entire mosque area covers 33 acres (13 hectares). It stands out in the landscape of Islamabad. The mosque is at the northern end of Faisal Avenue. This places it at the edge of the city. It is also right at the base of the Margalla Hills. These hills are part of the Himalayas. The mosque is built on high ground. It has a beautiful view of the national park. The Faisal Mosque was the largest mosque in the world from 1986 to 1993. Then, larger mosques were built in Saudi Arabia. Today, it is the sixth largest mosque globally by capacity.

History of the Mosque

An aerial view of the mosque

View from Faisal Avenue

The idea for the mosque began in 1966. King Faisal bin Abdul-Aziz visited Pakistan. He supported the plan to build a national mosque in Islamabad. In 1969, a worldwide competition was held. Architects from 17 countries sent in 43 different designs. The winning design came from Turkish architect Vedat Dalokay. About 46 acres of land were set aside for the mosque. Pakistani engineers and workers built it.

Construction started in 1976. The government of Saudi Arabia paid for it. The cost was over 130 million Saudi riyals. This is about 120 million USD today. King Faisal was very important in funding the mosque. After he passed away in 1975, the mosque and the road leading to it were named after him. King Khalid, King Faisal's successor, laid the first stone in October 1976. He signed the building agreement in 1978. You can find basic information about the mosque on this foundation stone. The mosque was finished in 1986. The first prayer was held there on June 18, 1988.

For some years, the International Islamic University was located on the mosque grounds. It moved to a new campus in 2000. Some people at first did not like the mosque's design. They thought it was too unusual because it did not have a traditional dome.

How Many People Can Fit?

Inside the mosque

The Faisal Mosque is very large. It can hold about 300,000 worshippers. Each of the four minarets is 79 meters (259 feet) tall. They are the tallest minarets in South Asia. The main prayer areas, including the inner hall and courtyards, can hold up to 74,000 people. The open grounds around the mosque can hold up to 200,000 more people.

Mosque Design and Art

A close-up view of Faisal Mosque

Instead of traditional domes, Vedat Dalokay designed the main hall with eight sides. It looks like an Arab's Bedouin desert tent. He also added four minarets at each corner. These minarets are 80 meters (262 feet) high. They are the tallest in South Asia. The main prayer hall is supported by four concrete beams. The unique minarets are inspired by Turkish architecture.

Vedat Dalokay also believed the mosque's design represents the Holy Kaaba in an abstract way. The entrance is from the east. The prayer hall has a courtyard with porticoes (covered walkways). The International Islamic University used to be under this main courtyard. It has since moved. The mosque still has a library, a lecture hall, a museum, and a cafe.

The inside of the main tent-shaped hall is covered in white marble. It is decorated with beautiful mosaics and calligraphy. A famous Pakistani artist named Sadequain created these. There is also a large Turkish-style chandelier. The mosaic pattern on the west wall shows the Kalimah. This is an important Islamic phrase. It is written in an early Kufic script and repeated like a mirror image.

The Qibla Wall faces the direction of prayer. It is covered with blue and white calligraphic tiles. A Turkish artist named Mengu Ertel designed them. The mosque's interior uses both Turkish and Pakistani decorations. The design is unusual because it mixes modern and classic Islamic styles. It takes ideas from nomadic Bedouin tents. But it also connects to Islamic architecture. It uses Ottoman-style minarets and a square shape, like the Kaaba.

Faisal Mosque seen from the Margalla Hills

Location and Views

The Faisal Mosque is located at the foot of the Margalla Hills. Its location is very important. The mosque can be seen from far away. It sits on higher ground than the main city. The mosque faces the city. Green mountain ranges are behind it, offering a beautiful view. One of Islamabad's main roads, Faisal Avenue, leads directly to the mosque. This shows how important the landmark is. The mosque's shining white color stands out against the dark green mountains. This highlights its significance to Islamabad.