A mosque is a place of worship for Muslims. While it majorly serves as a place for prayers, it can also serve as a location for several other Islamic activities, including Ramadan vigils, Sufi ceremonies, funeral services, and marriages. Apart from that, mosques can also serve as centers for elementary religious education. According to research, Masjid al-Haram is the biggest mosque in the world, with a capacity of 4 million. Next is Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, another great mosque located in Saudi Arabia. In case you’re interested in the full list of the top 10 biggest mosques in the world, here’s what we have for you below.
2020 List: The Top 10 Biggest Mosques In The World
1- Masjid al-Haram (Saudi Arabia)
Masjid al-Haram, also known as the Great Mosque of Mecca, occupies the first position on the list of top 10 biggest mosques in the world. That’s because it has an area of 356,000 square meters and a capacity of 4 million. Located in Mecca in Saudi Arabia, Masjid al-Haram is the holiest place for all Muslims across the world. Apart from that, it’s also the site of the Hajj pilgrimage. Speaking of that, it’s a compulsory religious duty that all Muslims must perform, provided they’re physically and financially okay.
2- Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (Saudi Arabia)
Next on the list of the top 10 biggest mosques in the world is Al-Masjid an-Nabawi. It was established and built by the last Islamic prophet Muhammad. Located in Al Haram, Medina in Saudi Arabia, the mosque has a capacity of 1.5 million and an area of 384,000 sq. meters. Furthermore, Al-Masjid an-Nabawi is the second holiest site for all Muslims across the world.
3- Imam Ali Mosque (Iraq)
With a capacity of 800,000, Imam Ali Mosque occupies the third spot on the list of the top 10 biggest mosques in the world. The mosque, also known as Mosque of ‘Ali, is a Shi’ite Muslim mosque that houses the tomb of ‘Alī ibn Abī Tālib, the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad. It’s located in Najaf in Iraq and receives millions of pilgrims annually.
4- Imam Reza Shrine (Iran)
Imam Reza Shrine, located in Mashhad in Iran, is the fourth-biggest mosque in the world. That’s because it has a capacity of 700,000. However, it’s the largest mosque in the world by area, with a total of 598,657 square meters. Furthermore, the complex of the mosque contains the mausoleum of Imam Reza, a Museum, Goharshad Mosque, a library, prayer halls, a cemetery, and many more.
5- Faisal Mosque (Pakistan)
With a capacity of 300,000 and an area of 130,000, Faisal Mosque occupies the fifth position on the list of the top 10 biggest mosques in the world. Between 1986 and 1993, the mosque was the largest in the world, until the expansion of the mosques in Saudi Arabia. The mosque, which is located in Islamabad, Pakistan, is the biggest in South Asia. Furthermore, the Faisal mosque has a contemporary design, which features eight-sided concrete shell sloping roofs.
6- Istiqlal Mosque (Indonesia)
Istiqlal Mosque has a capacity of 200,000, making it sit on the sixth spot on this list. Furthermore, it’s the national mosque of Indonesia and the biggest in Southeast Asia. As for its location, the Istiqlal Mosque sits in between the Merdeka Square and the Jakarta Cathedral.
7- Taj-ul-Masajid (India)
Sitting on the seventh position on the list of top 10 biggest mosques in the world is Taj-ul-Masajid. That’s because the mosque has a capacity of 175,000 and an area of 23,000 square meters. Furthermore, the mosque, which is located in Bhopal, India, is the biggest in the country.
8- Jamkaran Mosque (Iran)
Jamkaran Mosque, located about 6 km east of Qom, in Iran, is the eighth biggest mosque in the world by capacity. That’s because it can occupy up to 150,000 people. Furthermore, it has a large separate space for both men and women.
9- Djamaa el Djazaïr (Algeria)
Djamaa el Djazaïr, established in 2019 in Algiers, Algeria, occupies the ninth spot on the list of the top 10 biggest mosques in the world by capacity. That’s because it has an area of 20,000 square meters and a capacity, capable of occupying up to 120,000 jama’ah. Furthermore, the complex of the mosque contains several buildings, including an amphitheater, library, school, research center, restaurant, and many more.
10- Hassan II Mosque (Morocco)
With a capacity of 105,000, Hassan II Mosque occupies the last spot on the top 10 list of biggest mosques in the world. Located in Casablanca, Morocco, Hassan II is the second largest functioning mosque in Africa after the Djamaa el Djazaïr mosque. It has the second tallest minaret, about 60 stories high, in Africa. Interestingly, there’s a laser at the top of the minaret, which points towards Mecca, according to research.
