Daily Dose of Beauty: Grand Faith
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Oman
Daily Dose of Beauty: Adding a bit of light to the darkness as we get through the pandemic together.
This series features travel photos and stories from my archives, shared with you as we shelter in place.
April 23rd, 2020
Today, we’re returning to Oman (after Tuesday’s introductory post). I’m sharing the beauty of Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque on this first day of Ramadan 2020.
Construction of Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque began in 1994, with opening day following seven years later on May 4th, 2001. Named after the previous Sultan of Oman, who ruled for nearly 50 years from 1970 to 2020, the mosque stands proudly on 103 acres in Oman’s capital city of Muscat. Being relatively new, the sandstone still gleams, reflecting the images of everyone coming and going for prayer, reverence and barefoot tours of this magnificent site.
Two features of the Grand Mosque’s interior take your breath away upon entry: the Persian carpet under foot and the chandelier hanging above. Weighing in at 8.5 tons, the chandelier glows with the light of more than 1,000 bulbs. Not until you get closer do you see the hundreds of thousands of crystals, each individually sparkling while collectively transfixing all those underneath. The ornate design hangs within an intricate dome that enhances the entire effect.
Chandelier of Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Oman
Chandelier of Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Oman
Chandelier of Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Oman
The Persian carpet of the prayer hall rivals its fancy roommate with its own weight and intricacy. The carpet weighs 21 tons and holds 1.7 billion knots, all hand-tied using naturally-dyed wool and design motifs of Iranian origin. Made in the region of Mashhad, it is signed and dated in the tradition of Iranian rug making.
The Mihrab displays an elaborate network of Islamic geometric and floral designs with Arabic typography.
Inside and out, Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque tells an incredible story of imagination, purpose and faith made possible only through community. To those observing Ramadan, and to people of all faiths and none, may we find more strength and hope in community as we continue to get through each day together.
Until tomorrow,
Kelly
The place is conductive and very beautiful. I love your interesting discoveries my dear friend. I wish you one day reach Uganda too.Am loving much to share with you about your findings +256777168480
LikeLike
Thank you, Stephen! Hope you’re doing well in Uganda!
LikeLike
That is so beautiful! I was able to stop briefly at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, a similarly grand structure, but I wish I’d had more time to just linger and not be so focused on snapping a zillion photos. With Oman being one of our targets for some great hiking someday, I’ll be sure to save more time for this one!
LikeLike
Some of the sights in Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque used to the biggest in the world until the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque was built. It looks SO stunning. I really want to go there and pair it with a trip to the new Louvre Museum. Hope you get to Oman someday for a leisurely look at this mosque, as well as some great wadi hiking.
LikeLike
This is stunning! Wooowww. Feliz viernes (in case the days are blending). Lol
Wenda Puzzo 650-339-6747
>
LikeLike
Thanks, amiga!! Yes, the days are blending! I thought yesterday was Wednesday, all day. Until Jay told me otherwise. Almost missed a bunch of calls today! 🙂
LikeLike
Beautiful photos beautiful words Kelly
LikeLike
Thank you! Happy weekend! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
And to you
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just stunning. Beautiful photos.
Alison
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow… and more than 1,000 bulbs, incredible!!
LikeLike
Kinda makes you wonder how they change all those bulbs! And how often!
LikeLike
Boy, I wouldn’t want to be in charge of maintaining the light bulbs, Kelly. Beautiful photos! –Curt
LikeLike
Agreed! A never-ending and BIG job! 🙂 Thanks Curt.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Impressive place. But where is everyone?
LikeLike
Good question! We were there during “tourist hours” which take place between calls to prayer, so there weren’t many people around. The site is quite large, too. But aside from this, Oman isn’t overly touristed. We hardly saw any other tourists during the trip and definitely no other Americans.
LikeLiked by 1 person