Grand Mosque of Kuwait
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The Grand Mosque is the largest and the official mosque in the country of Kuwait. Locals refer to it as Al-Masjid Al-Kabir. Its area spans 45,000 square metres (480,000 sq ft), out of which the building itself covers 20,000 square metres (220,000 sq ft). The main prayer hall is 72 metres (236 ft) wide on all sides, has teakwood doors, and has lighting provided by 144 windows.
The Grand mosque is internationally renowned for its Islamic architecture and it has become one of Kuwait's most treasured landmarks. |
Construction on the mosque started in 1979 and was completed in 1986 at a cost of about KD 14 million. Grand Mosque is popular for its prayer arrangement during the last 10 days of Ramadan. Thousands of Muslims gather during last 10 days of Ramadan. The dome of the mosque is 26 metres (85 ft) in diameter and 43 metres (141 ft) high, and is decorated with the Asma al-hosna, the 99 names of God. The mosque can accommodate up to 10,000 men in the main prayer hall, and up to 950 women in the separate hall for women. The mosque also contains a 350 square metres (3,800 sq ft) library of Islamic reference books and documents. To accommodate the large number of vehicles belonging to worshippers, the mosque also contains a 5-level car park underneath the eastern courtyard which can hold up to 550 cars.The mosque's minaret, located at the northwest corner, resembles Andalusian architecture.