Grace and Grandeur in Muscat

​While staying in Muscat, we took a morning to visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, one of Oman’s most iconic landmarks. In Islam, it’s encouraged for wealthy Muslims to build mosques as a way to give back to the community, and Sultan Qaboos followed this tradition by commissioning this incredible site. Completed in 2001, the mosque can hold up to 20,000 worshippers. The main prayer hall was impressive, featuring a massive Persian carpet that once held the title of the world’s largest hand-woven carpet. The chandelier hanging from the dome, made of Swarovski crystals, was equally striking. The mosque’s architecture beautifully blends Islamic, Omani, and modern styles, with its domes, minarets, and expansive marble courtyards creating a peaceful atmosphere – Muscat, Oman