Faisal mosque is one of the top attractions in Islamabad. Today we will discuss its location, history, interesting facts, visit timing, namaz/ prayer time, jumma time, and pretty much everything there’s to know about Faisal masjid! So, let’s start!
Faisal Mosque History
Faisal Masjid was built in 1986 and is considered Pakistan’s national mosque.
It was the world’s largest mosque from 1986 to 1993, when the newly constructed Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, Morocco, surpassed it in size.
Shaped like a desert Bedouin tent, Faisal Masjid was designed by a Turkish architect, who won an international competition for the honor.
The design is inspired by a desert Bedouin’s tent and the cubic Ka’ba in Mecca.
The Faisal Mosque is an eight-sided concrete shell with four unique minarets influenced by Turkish architecture and inspired by a desert Bedouin’s tent and the cubic Ka’ba in Mecca.
The main tent-shaped hall’s interior is lined with white marble and embellished with mosaics, calligraphy by Pakistani artist Sadeqain, and a magnificent Turkish-style chandelier.
Faisal Masjid Prayer Capacity
It houses the tomb of Zia-ul-Haq, whose funeral there in 1988 was the biggest in our history.
The prayer hall has a capacity of 10,000 people. (An extra 24,000 people may be accommodated in the porticoes, and 40,000 in the courtyard.)
Beside the mosque lies the tomb of General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, whose funeral there at the mosque in 1988 was the biggest in Pakistani history.
Name & Cost
The Faisal Mosque is the biggest mosque in Pakistan and is also known as Shah Faisal Masjid. It is named after Saudi Arabia’s late King Faisal bin Abdul-Aziz, who financed the $120m project.
It was planned as Pakistan’s National Mosque and was named after Saudi Arabia’s late King Faisal bin Abdul-Aziz, who supported and financed the project.
The Saudi Arabian government funded more than 130 million Saudi riyals (approximately 120 million USD today).
King Faisal bin Abdul Aziz was crucial in raising funds for the masjid, and both the mosque and the road leading to it were named after him in 1975 after his assassination.
Design & Architecture
An international competition was organized to choose the design of the mosque.
It was won by Turkish architect Vedat Dalokay.
In 1969, an international competition was organized in which 43 proposals were submitted by architects from 17 different countries. Turkish architect Vedat Dalokay’s design was chosen as the winner.
The mosque was built in 1976 by the National Construction of Pakistan, directed by Azim Khan.
Islamic University Campus
The mosque once housed the International Islamic University. The International Islamic University used to be located beneath the main courtyard but has been moved to a new location.
A library, lecture hall, museum, and café are still located within the mosque.
Faisal Mosque Timing, Visiting Days, Ticket Price
Like all other masjid, Faisal mosque too is open from Dawn/ Fajr prayer till after Dusk/ Isha prayer. As far as the visiting days are concerned, the masjid is open all days of the week. As of now, there’s no entry ticket. Though you have to pay a small token fee to secure your shoes before entering the mosque.
Faisal Masjid Namaz Time (Regular Prayer Time & Jumma Time)
Faisal Masjid holds regular prayers as well as the weekly Jumma prayer. The prayer timings are not constant and changes every few weeks, just like in the other Masjids. While the regular prayer/ namaz time is almost the same as that followed in ICT, the Jumma time (juma prayer time) is usually 1:30 pm.
Faisal Mosque Location
It is located on Shah Faisal Ave, E-8, Islamabad. It’s located on the foot of beautiful Margalla hills.
