If you are planning on taking a trip to the Middle East, you must-see mosques in the Gulf while you are there! From local mosques to large, tourist filled mosques – there are no shortage of interesting and unique mosques to choose from. There are many incredible mosques in the world – from the Umayyad Mosque in Syria, an extremely old and grand mosque that is believed to be the home of John the Baptists Head and a place that was formerly a Church, to the Haiga Sofia Mosque in Istanbul which changed from a church, to a mosque, to a museum, and so forth and so on, constantly changing throughout history.
The Gulf is one of the most mosque-dense regions in the world. It makes sense, as Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam. The strong faith in the region, mixed with pretty deep oil-money pockets means that there are some incredibly grand and beautiful mosques to see! The top 5 must-see mosques in the Gulf that you need to see (as a non-muslim) are below.
Table of Contents
5. Kuwait Grand Mosque – Kuwait City, Kuwait
The Kuwait Grand Mosque is an extremely eloquent and our first must-see mosque in the Gulf, located in the heart of Kuwait City. The mosque is special for its Andalusian architectural influence and is open for visitors (including non-muslims) all year round. However, please note that during the period of Ramadan, you will most likely not be granted entry.
4. Abrahamic Family House – Abu Dhabi, UAE
The Abrahamic Family House is one of the more unique and new mosques. Not only is it a mosque, but it is also a complex with a Synagogue and Church inside. The project was created for UAE’s ‘Year of Tolerance’ in 2019 to celebrate the unity between the three major Abrahamic religions and to celebrate its recent establishment of diplomatic ties with the State of Israel. This is also the first Synagogue built in not only the Gulf, but also in the Arab world for hundreds and hundreds of years. Beneath the religious sites, there is an audio-visual museum dedicated to exploring the common themes between the three Abrahamic religions.
This is a must-see mosque due to its unusual composition and the attached museum which is a great reminder of the origin and similarities of the world’s biggest Abrahamic religions.
3. Sultan Qaboos Mosque – Muscat, Oman
When traveling in Oman, the Sultan Qaboos Mosque in Muscat, Oman is one of the absolute must-see mosques in the Gulf. Sultan Qaboos was one of the longest serving and beloved leaders of Oman and has the most grand mosque in the country as evidence.
The mosque is a huge complex and contains multiple different buildings as well as beautifully tiled slim arches and walls in the exterior. The main colour themes are blue, yellows and reds arranged in unique patterns and shapes. The interior of the main mosque hosts what was once the world’s largest chandelier, a multi million dollar design. The carpet is also one of the largest carpets in the world and was completely handmade by local women.
Please note entry can be restricted to the Sultan Qaboos Mosque and the dress code is fairly strict. Women must ensure they are covered from foot to face in an abaya or long dress. Hair should not poke out, nor should a significant portion of the neck show. Men should wear long pants or a thawb (traditional Omani men’s wear). Recently, Oman has started charging tourist entry fees (which is very bizarre and abnormal) to visit the mosque, however it is definitely worth it. There are volunteer guides you can approach to ask any questions, and volunteers handing out Chai and dates on the left side of the mosque where you can go to ask any questions about Islam.
2. Sheik Zayad Mosque – Abu Dhabi, UAE
Sheik Zayd Mosque is the epitome of class, elegance and modern design. The mosque itself is white on the exterior and created with small circular domes with gold trimmings. The main colour theses are white and gold, with floral patterns used throughout. This is a rather unique design for a mosque and is not in any traditional style.
The mosque is huge and is located on the outskirts of the UAE’s capital. The mosque takes perhaps 20 minutes to enter, as you must enter via a close-by underground shopping center which sells souvenirs including scarfs and abayas if you need to pick something up.
1. Holy Mosque and Qiba Mosque – Saudi Arabia
While this is not a mosque that non-muslims can go to, you can admire these incredibly important historical buildings from the outside. We suggest you walk down Qiba Street – the street connects the Holy Mosque and Qiba Mosque which both have significant importance in Islamic history. The first house is the Prophet Mohammed’s (PBUH) grave. The second was the first Mosque ever built.
These mosques have deep historical significance and thus are some of the most important mosques in the Islamic faith.
Must-See Mosques in the Gulf – What You Can’t See
Non-muslims are prohibited from entering the inner city of Medina and are completely banned from entering Mecca. Violating these laws can lead to deportation, bans from entering Saudi Arabia and in extreme cases, prison, fines and punishment. When it comes to religion in Saudi Arabia, it is best to stick to the beaten path!
Do You Want To Visit These Mosques?
You can do so on our Gulf Trek Tour! Visit Oman, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia on our most comprehensive tour of the GCC Gulf!
About Post Author
