Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Oman can accommodate up to 20,000 worshippers.

The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque has a main dome which is 44.5 metres high and a main minaret which is 74 metres high.

It was in 1995 that Sultan Qaboos ordered the construction of the Grand Mosque at his own expense, construction was completed in 2001.

The site of the mosque runs about 1,000 metres along the length of the Sultan Qaboos Highway and about 885 metres deep from north to south.

The mosque, which also acts as an Islamic centre replete with a vast library.

The mosque complex is constructed on a raised podium in keeping with the tradition of Omani mosques.

The central dome of the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque rises 50m above the ground.

A chandelier made of Swarovski crystals and gold-plated metalwork hangs in the main prayer hall. The hand-made carpet from Iran measures about 70mx60m and took four years to make.

With its ornate doors and exquisite designs, the mosque is a work of art.

Asghar Khan: ''I have visited many mosques but I must say this one ranks amongst the top five in the world. Its interior and exterior designs are simply spectacular.''