Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

In the Arab world, Oman does not clamor to be the largest/most extravagant-best. But in the main prayer hall (musalla) of Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque lies the world’s second-largest carpet (trumped in 2007 by Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque). The 70 x 60 meter carpet contains 1.7 billion knots and weighs 21 tons. Hanging above is also the world’s second largest chandelier, 14 meters dripping in Swarovski crystal. (An intricately-carved 50 meter dome sits above.)

The mosque is impressive, especially in Oman, because it is so otherworldly grand. 20,000 worshippers can be accommodated in the two prayer halls and courtyard. 300,000 tons of Indian sandstone was used in its construction. The principle minaret rises 91.5 meters. Influences in the architecture and decor range from a modernized Islamic to traditional Omani and Egyptian.