Sultan Qaboos Mosque in Nizwa: A landmark embodies religious, cultural significance of A'Dakhiliyah

Times of Oman

04-06-2025

Nizwa — Sultan Qaboos Mosque in Nizwa, A'Dakhiliyah Governorate, embodies the historical, religious, and cultural prominence of the wilayat, distinguished by its unique architectural character that reflects authentic Omani heritage.
The mosque's architectural design, inaugurated on 18 September 2015, draws inspiration from the traditional style of A'Dakhiliyah Governorate, emphasizing simplicity in form and the optimal use of interior ornamentation. The mosque is distinguished by its four minarets, which lend it a distinctive charm, setting it apart from other mosques across various wilayats. The design also incorporates traditional materials and authentic Omani building colors, reinforcing the mosque's connection to the identity of the place.
The mosque is located at the intersection of major roads linking Nizwa to Muscat, Salalah, and Bahla, within a new urban development plan underway in the city. Built on an 8,000-square-meter plot adjacent to Wadi Nizwa, it is clearly visible from all directions. The mosque's floor has been significantly elevated above ground level to protect it from floods and to highlight its prominent geographical location.
The mosque's structure consists of a main prayer hall covering 3,546 square meters, with interior dimensions of 60 meters by 60 meters, accommodating approximately 4,500 worshippers.
The main prayer hall is accessed via the qibla axis through a grand and spacious staircase and a covered courtyard. Four additional entrances allow entry from the garden to the north and south of the mosque, leading to the courtyard area adjacent to the hall via a large staircase.
The covered courtyard and two open courtyards can serve as additional prayer spaces, surrounded by an arched wall enclosing ablution areas and shoe storage cabinets. The outdoor areas can accommodate around 5,300 worshippers as supplementary prayer spaces.
The mosque includes a women's prayer hall with a capacity of 434, located on the ground floor and accessible separately through external courtyards and a lobby.
All main facilities of the mosque are situated on the ground floor, elevated five meters above ground level, including ablution areas, offices, and auxiliary services. Meanwhile, all equipment is housed in the service floor above the main prayer hall.
The mosque's architectural design features a 27-meter-diameter dome rising 55 meters above ground, flanked by four minarets, each standing 80 meters tall, marking the four corners of the main prayer hall.
The exterior finishes of the prayer hall include side buttresses and parapets atop the building, all inspired by the region's prevailing architectural style. The main prayer hall is enclosed by a protective wall clad in stone, adorned with arched forms and enhanced with Quranic inscriptions and carvings.
Inside, the main prayer hall rises about 14 meters, with the dome reaching approximately 40 meters in height. The interior is finished with decorative marble, ornamental plasterwork on walls, arched niches, and ceilings painted with specialized decorative pigments inspired by regional designs. The qibla wall is extensively decorated with marble, while the marble mihrab features intricate inlay and engraving work, including complex carvings, Quranic calligraphy, and geometric and floral patterns. The prayer hall's windows incorporate delicate layers of translucent marble and stained decorative glass.
Sultan Qaboos Mosque Library in Nizwa stands as one of the mosque's most important facilities. Opened alongside the mosque under the supervision of the Sultan Qaboos Higher Centre for Culture and Science, the library spans 277.50 square meters, designed across two floors around a glass-covered central courtyard. Additionally, it includes three Quran memorization classrooms built around a dedicated courtyard and a multi-purpose hall covering 306 square meters, equipped with fixed seating and audiovisual systems for instructional use.
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