King Faisal Mosque (Shah Faisal Masjidمسجد فیصل شاه in Urdu) is a large mosque located in Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan. It is a well-known mosque and is renowned for both its immense size and its architecture.
History
In 1976, construction began on the mosque, funded by the government of Saudi Arabia, costing over 130 million Saudi riyals. King Faisal of Saudi Arabia was instrumental in the funding, and it was thus dedicated to him after his assassination. It was completed in 1986, and used to house the International Islamic University. The small mausoleum of General Muhammad Zia ul-Haq is located right outside of the mosque.
Design
The mosque has an area of 5,000 square meters and can hold over 70,000 worshippers. It is considered to be one of the largest mosques in the world. It was designed by the Turkish architect Vedat Dalokay. The design is a modern one, but makes use of the traditional structure of a mosque with its large prayer hall and four minarets. However, unlike traditional mosque design, it lacks a dome, rather the main prayer hall is shaped like a tent. The inside of this prayer hall holds a large chandelier and is decorated with mosaics and calligraphy.
Location
It is located at the end of Shaharah-e-Islamabad, putting it at one end of the city and in front of a magnificent backdrop provided by the Margalla Hills. It is a focal point of Islamabad, and probably the most famous building of that city.
The shah Faisal Mosque is the largest mosque of Islamabad, Pakistan.
Necessity of a Grand mosque was felt in the newly developed capital of Pakistan.
The late King Faisal of Saudi Arabia during his visit to Islamabad in 1966 liked the idea of the construction of a grand Mosque as well as the site and offered to bear the expenditure of the Grand National Mosque Project.
King Shah Faisal Mosque The National Mosque of Pakistan (Pakistan Ke Qaumi Masjid) (Shah FaisalMasjid شاه فيصل مسجد in Urdu) is one of the largest mosques in the world, located in Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan.
The impetus for the mosque began in 1966 when the late King Faisal bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia suggested it during a visit to Islamabad.
King Faisal bin Abdul Aziz was instrumental in the funding, and both the mosque and the road leading to it were named after him after his assassination in 1975.
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