The dome
The Names of God.
Zairon — CC BY 4.0 · Zairon — CC BY 4.0 · Zairon — CC BY 4.0 · Zairon — CC BY 4.0
Kuwait's largest mosque and one of the most beautiful in the Gulf, opened in 1986 near Seif Palace in the heart of the capital, with a soaring minaret and a huge golden dome, holding thousands of worshippers and hosting Eid prayers and major national occasions. The design blends Andalusian and Maghrebi Islamic architecture, with arches, columns and ornament of marble, carved wood and coloured ceramic. The main dome is decorated inside with the Beautiful Names of God in fine Arabic calligraphy, and huge chandeliers hang from it. The mosque has a library, lecture halls, broad courtyards, fountains and gardens. An attached cultural centre offers free guided tours for non-Muslim visitors, explaining the architecture and the principles of Islam. The visit is free, and visitor tours usually run Sunday to Thursday in the morning and afternoon outside prayer times, per visitor guides. Modest dress is required, and abayas and headscarves are lent to women at the entrance.
The Names of God.
Marble and wood.
With guides.
Arabian Gulf Street, near Seif Palace, Kuwait City
Yes, on free guided tours usually Sunday to Thursday, in modest dress.
