Faisal Mosque, Islamabad

Faisal Mosque is the largest mosque in Pakistan and one of the country’s best-known landmarks. Designed by Turkish architect Vedat Dalokay and completed in 1986, the mosque was chosen through a 1969 international competition. Funded by King Faisal of Saudi Arabia, it has a tent-like form and four 90-meter minarets.

The mosque can accommodate tens of thousands of worshippers across its prayer hall, courtyards, and grounds. Its interior is simple compared with many older Islamic monuments, using geometric forms, calligraphy, and open space rather than heavy decoration. A large chandelier lights the main prayer area, with inscriptions by Sadequain adding artistic value. The complex also once housed parts of the International Islamic University.

For tourists, Faisal Mosque offers cultural, architectural, and visual interest. Its dome-free design was debated at first, but later admired against the hills. It appears on Pakistan’s 5,000-rupee banknote. Visitors should dress modestly, especially during busy prayer periods.