Regarded as one of the most beautiful places to see in Pakistan, Faisal Mosque Islamabad is a stunningly modern mosque in the capital city of Pakistan. Completed in 1986, it was the largest mosque in the world for seven years until the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca was completed in 1993.
It is best known for its futuristic design inspired by a typical Bedouin tent. Visiting Faisal Mosque is one of the best things to do in Islamabad and should definitely be included in your Islamabad itinerary. Ready to learn about what first-timers should know before visiting Faisal Mosque in Islamabad? Let’s get into it!
Faisal Mosque Quick info
| Location | Shah Faisal Ave, Sector E-8 |
| Type | Mosque |
| Architect | Vedat Dalokay |
| Best things to do | Explore the architecture and visit nearby tourist attractions like Damn-e-Koh, Fatima Jinnah Park, Saidpur Village, etc. |
| Timings | Seven days of the week |
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Architectural Style | Modern Islamic |
| Year of Establishment | 1986 |
| Mosque Capacity | 300,000 |
| Best Time to visit: | October to April |
| Traveler Types: | Architecture enthusiasts and Photographers |
| Nearest Metro Bus Station | PIMS Metro Bus Station (Opp. Centaurus Mall, Islamabad) |
| Address | Shah Faisal Ave, E-8, Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory |
Location:
Faisal Mosque is located on the northern side of the city at the foothills of the Margalla Hills. The famous Faisal Avenue leads straight to the mosque. Situated at the junction of sectors E7 and E8, its enviable location gives the mosque a scenic view and makes it visible from miles away.
History
The Faisal Mosque was named after the Saudi King, the late Faisal bin Abdul Aziz, who supported the Pakistan government’s initiative to build a national mosque in the newly established capital city.
Pakistani Government received a $120 million project grant from the Government of Saudi Arabia for the construction of this mosque.
An international competition was held to select the design, and the winning entry was by Turkish architect Vedat Dalokay. Construction began in 1976 and was completed in 1986, though the mosque was not opened to devotees until 1988.
Design and Architecture:
Designed by Turkish Architect Vedat Dalokay, Faisal Mosque or Faisal Masjid exhibits a more modern and sleek look with a structure shaped like a nomadic Bedouin tent that acts as the mosque’s hallmark.
Unlike Badshahi Mosque and Wazir Khan Mosque, It doesn’t feature arches and domes. Its design is an architectural nod to the Holy Kaaba and combines classic Islamic and modern architectural elements.
There are four towering minarets soaring skywards on the corners of the main prayer hall, the tallest minarets in South Asia.
The interior of the main prayer hall is embellished with mosaics and calligraphic inscriptions by Pakistani artist Sadequain. The calligraphic tiles in the shades of white and blue decorate its Qibla wall.
The inner courtyards and expansive prayer hall of the mosque can hold 74,000 worshippers, with an additional 200,000 on the grounds, making it the sixth-largest mosque in the world by capacity.
The minarets and main structure of the mosque are clad in white marble, a striking contrast to the green of the Margalla Hills in the background, which makes it the star highlight of the capital city.
FAQs
When is Faisal Mosque open for visitors?
It is open to the public from sunrise to sunset every day, seven days a week. Non-Muslims visitors are also allowed to enter here. However, outside of prayer times, the inside area of the mosque is not open to visitors.
What is the best time to visit Faisal Mosque?
If you seek peace and want to avoid crowds, visiting in the morning is ideal, as the mosque gets crowded in the afternoon and evening. However, the best time to visit Faisal Mosque is at sunset, when the mosque lights up in a radiant orange, the sky turns purple, and the call to prayer echoes through the air.
Don’t forget to check out as well…
What is the entry ticket to visit Faisal Mosque?
Entry is free for all visitors, who can visit the Mosque at any time of the day without paying an entry fee.
What are the hotels near Faisal Mosque Islamabad?
Hotel Hillview Islamabad, The 108 Hotel, and Envoy Continental Hotel are some of the best hotels in Islamabad near the Shah Faisal Mosque.
What do you need to wear to visit the Mosque?
Visitors are required to wear modest clothing with legs, shoulders and arms covered. Wearing a headscarf is a must for women. Since it is a place of worship, footwear is not allowed in the mosque. So remove your shoes before entering the mosque.
Is Photography allowed?
Tourists are allowed to take photos in the mosque’s main courtyard. However, photography in the main prayer hall is not permitted. If you want to photograph the mosque, visit it in the evening when light is better for photography.
Don’t forget to check out as well…
How to visit Faisal Mosque?
Visiting the Faisal Mosque is easy and convenient. Located on Faisal Avenue, it’s about a 10-minute drive from the Islamabad Blue Area. It can be easily reached by hiring a taxi or using car riding services like Yango, Indrive and Careem.
Which Metro Station is nearest to Mosque?
PIMS Metro Bus Station, located opposite Centaurus Mall in Islamabad, is the nearest metro bus station, just a 10-minute drive from the Mosque.
How do you get to Faisal Mosque via Metro Bus Station?
To reach Faisal Mosque in Islamabad via Metro Bus, take the metro bus from your nearest station and stop at PIMS Metro Bus Station. From there, it takes around 10 minutes to get to it via taxi.
What are the best places to visit near Faisal Mosque?
There are many tourist spots near Faisal Mosque that you can explore. The famous Centaurus Mall is less than a 10-minute drive away, while Fatima Jinnah Park, which covers the entire F9 sector of Islamabad, is about a 15-minute drive from the mosque.
In addition, visitors can easily get to the Mughal-era Saidpur Village, which is just a 10-minute drive away. Other attractions near Faisal Mosque include Dam-e-Koh (7.8 km), Margalla Hills National Park (14.9km), Jinnah Super Market (4.1 km), and Lake View Park (16.8km).
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