Bab Al Salam Mosque Included in “2024 List of World's Greatest Places”

Muscat, 31 Jul (ONA) --- The American magazine "Time" included Bab Al Salam Mosque in Muscat in the list of the world's greatest places for the year 2024.

The magazine said that, “For years, the Middle East’s cutting-edge skyscrapers have stood side by side with opulent mosques rooted in centuries of classical Islamic architecture.”

The magazine pointed out that, lately, a wave of more contemporary houses of worship have emerged on the skylines of Gulf cities, often paying tribute to age-old design in fresh and unexpected ways.

Last year, Omani design firm Altqadum unveiled Masjid Bab Al Salam in Muscat, with a tranquil complex of blush-coloured circular structures.

The magazine pointed out that the dome of the mosque consists of over 1,600 crystal bulbs forming a chandelier over the main prayer hall.

The magazine described the mosque as a “minimalist marvel bathed in natural light” and the mosque is in itself an architectural masterpiece that is considered one of the must-see places in Muscat Governorate.

In the same context, Abdulrahim Ibrahim Al Kindi, Director of Research and Cultural Initiatives at Altqadum Office, the operator of Bab Al Salam Mosque project, said that the edifice was built with the support of the Al Jisr Charitable Foundation.

Al Kindi explained that the architectural engineering vision that gave rise to the mosque is based on research and experiments, hence the firm conducted research into the history of mosques, while at the same time working on analytical studies of its patterns and components, associating them to the related architectural trends and following up the results of those studies, including the development of the mihrab (a niche that traditionally directs congregants toward Mecca).

“We wanted to present the idea of ​​the mihrab in an innovative way that would relate to the famous mihrabs in the Sultanate of Oman. This is the very impact that we observed in the mihrab of Al-Uwaina Mosque located in the National Museum,” Al Kindi added.

Speaking about the features of the mosque, Al-Kindi said, “Our focus was on the experience of the worshippers entering into a spiritual experience enhanced by the elements of the design, right from the time they observe the mosque’s minaret. The mosque compound comprises a women’s prayer hall, a garden that contains water bodies to take the worshippers away from the noise of the city and a prayer hall whose design evinces a sense of tranquillity, but no superfluous decorations that might distract the worshippers.”

He added that the mosque's designers took into account environmental sustainability by responding to natural elements, including the movement of wind and sun. In addition, the design accords attention to rational electricity consumption, to make the edifice become environmentally friendly.

Marwan Abdul Malik Al Balushi, Manager of the project’s design department, said that, in order to save electrical power and benefit from natural light, some openings were made to allow sufficient light to enter the mosque. “Though they allow the allow the entry of sufficient light, the openings prevent contact with direct sunshine, thereby cutting down the need for heavy air-conditioning. In the meantime, the Mihrab has a simple opening in the wall that allows soft light to enter, leaving visitors to turn their thoughts inward,” he added.

“The shelves carrying copies of the Qurans have been hidden in walls so that they would not distract the worshipers during the time of worship. The carpet was also specially made without lavish designs, but in a gradual manner that defines the rows for worshippers. The women’s prayer hall also features a unique design that offers the worshipers a new spiritual experience,” said Al Balushi.

He explained that the overall circular design of the mosque introduces a sustainable sound that diminishes the expansion of echo, and this significantly replaces the need for loudspeakers. In addition to exploiting natural resources, ablution seats have been made of Omani marble, he added.

“Time” magazine is one of the oldest American weeklies. Its first issue was published in 1923 by Henry Luce and Burton Hadden. The magazine, based in New York City, has various editions covering Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. It also has an Asian edition and a Canadian edition.

Time magazine’s selection of the "Greatest Places in the World" is based on nominations by its network of editors and correspondents.

It is worth noting that Altqadum Office is an architectural and interior design office that started operations in 2007. It operates with a fully Omani team that specializes in all aspects of design—from interior decor to furniture design, architectural design, research and studies.

--- Ends/Bishara/AH