Grand Mosque (Kuwait)

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Detail of an ornament from the Grand Mosque

TAKE A GLANCE AT ONE OF KUWAIT'S UNIQUE LANDMARKS …. THE GRAND MOSQUE

The Grand Mosque is the largest mosque in the State of Kuwait. Located on Arabian Gulf Road opposite Seif Palace. Its area spans 45,000 square metres, out of which the building itself covers 20,000 square metres. The remaining area consists of gardens with a variety of flowers, plants, palm trees, fountains and waterfalls. On the eastern side there is a vast courtyard with a total area of six thousand five hundred (6,500) square metres. The Main Prayer Hall is 72 metres wide on both sides, has 21 teakwood doors and lighting is provided by 144 windows. The Dome of the Grand Mosque is 26 metres in diametre, 43 metres high and is decorated with "Isma Al-Hosna", the 99 attributes / names of God.

The Grand Mosque can accommodate up to 10,000 men in the Main Prayer Hall and it has a separate Daily Prayer Hall for men also. A Ladies’ Prayer Chamber is located on a level above, which can hold up to nine hundred and fifty (950) female worshippers. There are steps and a lift for access. Its entrance gate is in the southern wall.

During Ramadan, annually, 170,000 men, women and children from Kuwait and all across the globe, attend the Grand Mosque for praying together to God (Allah) at the same time - awesome! The mosque also contains a 350 square metre Library of Islamic reference books and documents.

To accommodate the large number of vehicles belonging to worshippers, the mosque also contains a 5-level car park located below the eastern courtyard, which can accommodate up to five-hundred and fifty (550) cars, with elevators providing access to upper halls and public areas. Construction on the Grand Mosque started in 1979 and was completed in 1986.

The Story of the Grand Mosque ….. How did it start ?

Founded and inaugurated by the beloved (late) Amir, His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, building the Grand Mosque in Kuwait city, was an innovative idea he had when there was just the Souk Mosque [Market] opposite Seif Palace [Ruler’s Palace].

Exiting Seif Palace one day during his reign as Amir, Sheikh Jaber noticed members of the public were praying outside the nearby small mosque, as it was not big enough for the vast number of worshippers. At that moment he ordered the building of a large Grand Mosque on a central, prime site of land which would stand firmly amongst edifices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Planning Ministry, Central Bank and the busy Kuwait Stock Exchange, with a panoramic view of the sea coast.

ARCHITECTURAL AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:

The construction of the Grand Mosque Project was commenced in the latter part of 1979 and the gross cost of the project was approximately fourteen million Kuwaiti Dinars (14,000,000).

Inaugurated in June 1986, the Grand Mosque was designed in accordance with Islamic and traditional architectural heritage whilst being inspired by qualities of Arabic construction both locally and from the Gulf.

Islamic Designs and Scripts being utilized have taken into consideration the freedom and use of modern technology in its construction. For that reason the Grand Mosque’s general structure, the minaret, pillars, ceilings and foundation are all made of re-enforced concrete. The outside cladding is of natural stone in varying shades. Cladding inside the building is of high quality marble and natural stone.

The Main Prayer Hall is used for Jummah (Friday) Prayers and two Eid Festivals, as well as other ceremonial religious functions. It is one of the largest halls that stand on only four pillars. Daily Prayers are performed at a special court, for nearly five-hundred (500) worshippers.

Niche: Lined with Moroccan tiles of geometrical patterns in rich colours, the Niche takes the shape of a half-circle. It is covered with Asfahani ceramic and Italian marble. There is Moroccan gypsum at the top of the Niche. It is built to guide people going to pray, towards the direction of the Qibla [Makkah in Saudi Arabia] and for acoustic spreading of sound.

Dome acoustics top the Main Prayer Hall. Taking the shape of the Sun, it has a diametre of twenty-six (26) metres, rising to a height of forty-three (43) metres. Muslims build domes to divide the sound, fanning, for channeling natural light and such also represents the sky. Known as one of the largest domes in the world, it is ornamented inside by engraved attributes of God [names of Allah] and Verses of the Quran in beautiful Arabic Calligraphy on Iranian Asfahani ceramics. The area is equipped with a hundred and forty-four (144) windows which provide natural lighting.

Doors of the Grand Mosque, made from Al-Sag (teakwood) were carved by Indian craftsmen. The twenty-one (21) doors have Verses of the Holy Quran and Islamic geometric designs.

Amir’s Hall: Designed specifically with the founder in mind and intricately decorated with carvings that took two years to complete, this special symmetrical hall has always been visited every year by the Amir of Kuwait during the two Eid Festivals. The Ruler first goes to the Main Hall for community prayers standing amongst Kuwaiti citizens, then proceeds to the Amir’s Hall where guests are met and warm Arab hospitality is provided whilst Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha greetings are exchanged on both busy Islamic occasions.

ANNEXES OF THE GRAND MOSQUE:

Management’s Main Building near the Front Entrance Security Kiosk contains the Grand Mosque Director's Office and Administration. The Main Building located on the right near the front entrance, has a theatre which accommodates one-hundred and thirty (130) visitors for seminars being held, besides scientific and cultural programmes presented therein. Professors, doctors and various authorities present lectures throughout the year. The Maintenance Department of the Grand Mosque is also included there.

Ablution areas on the ground level eastern area have toilets for men, equipped with hot and cold water. There is also a special entrance on the south side. One hundred and sixty-nine (169) ablutionary, one hundred and twenty-one (121) toilets, plus sixty-two (62) hand basins are available.

Diwanyia for the purpose of receiving foreign visitors is a comfortable lounge decorated with chairs made in Kuwait's traditional fabric weaving called "Sadu". This hospitable Diwanyia is located overlooking a beautiful garden with palm trees and fountains.

Al-Waei Al-Islami Magazine Office publishes an Islamic Awareness Magazine. The magazine management occupies the Minaret building. For more than 20 years issued monthly in Arabic the magazine was established to spread Islamic thought, answer misconceptions on Islam with scientific proof, develop Islamic awareness, follow the public's problems to provide solutions and to uphold the peaceful, moderate Islamic identity.

A Women's Activities Building was constructed in 2006 to provide unique services for ladies in Kuwait. [Both Kuwaitia and expats] On the ground floor level there is a large theatre, with stage to accommodate five hundred people. Facilities are available for the innumerous School Visits to the Grand Mosque booked annually. On the first floor there are offices for the Ladies' Management leading this unique, pioneering division of humanitarian work in the Grand Mosque. It is also exciting to know that this is the first project of its kind in the world which a Government Ministry and an Islamic Mosque have enabled capable Muslim women to implement. Their Administration Department Staff, as well as female employees working as Tour Guides are also based there.

Kuwait Cultural Complex: Planned by the Cultural Sector at the Ministry of Awqaf & Islamic Affairs, this was an idea which developed for implementing plans of future increased services, Free Courses, Free Guided Tours, as well as free events and free activities at the thriving Grand Mosque. Languages spoken by Staff include Arabic, English, Italian, Spanish, German, Mandarin Chinese Tagalog and Russian. The name was derived to handle the various Centres and Royal Marquees holding events within the bounds of the Grand Mosque’s site; each one having a different cultural, social or educational purpose. The first, to be opened in 2006, was the WPIC.

1st: Western Perception of Islam Centre [WPIC] 2nd: Islamic Art & Arabic Calligraphy Centre 3rd: Barirah, Domestic Employees & Foreign Communities’ Centre 4th: Foreign [Exchange] Students’ Centre: (following up new Muslims & Scholarship Students) 5th: Cultural Research & Documentation Centre. 6th: Muslim Child's Village (Play Centre for School Children visiting with Teachers)

The Western Perception of Islam Centre [WPIC] occupies the courtyard's eastern side of the Grand Mosque. Its offices provide answers to the Western Media's misconceptions about Islam and Arabs.

Helpline: A Free ‘Questions & Answers’ Confidential Hotline is provided for Westerners residing in Kuwait, called “Ask the Grand Mosque” by dialing [965] 2417117. The line is answered in English.

Fountains and Gardens: In the Grand Mosque there are nine (9) fountains and three (3) waterfalls. These provide a marvelous visual impact, plus a sense of comfort and tranquility. The remaining area consists of gardens with a variety of flowers, plants and palm trees. Every year boxes of freshly picked dates from the trees are given to needy people, as quite nutritious and very tasty.

As an Islamic civilization landmark in Kuwait the Grand Mosque is frequently visited by State guests, tourists and students of schools, both private and governmental.

Each guest is warmly welcomed and highly honoured by the administration personnel, who are always ready to receive visitors, provide pre-booked Guided Tours and highlight the building, as well as the various activities, exhibitions and lectures provided at the Grand Mosque.

For details on free courses, events, activities, information resources and pre-booked Guided Tours in English, please contact the Grand Mosque. Visitors from all walks of life, many backgrounds and all around the world have said it is awesome!

Location: Arabian Gulf Road, Qibla, Kuwait, opposite the Stock Exchange, Seif Palace and the Foreign Ministry. Tel: [965] 2459465