King Faisal Mosque

The King Faisal Mosque was designed by the prominent Turkish architect Vedat Dalokay. His contemporary design was selected through an international competition and features a striking layout that departs from traditional mosque architecture. The building was completed in 1986 and serves as Pakistan's national mosque.

The King Faisal Mosque is one of the largest mosques in the world, capable of accommodating hundreds of thousands of worshippers in its main prayer hall and surrounding courtyards. Its massive scale reflects its status as the national mosque of Pakistan. The structure sits on an elevated platform against the backdrop of the Margalla Hills.

The design of the King Faisal Mosque resembles a traditional Bedouin tent, deliberately avoiding the traditional domes found in most historic mosques. Vedat Dalokay designed it this way to honor the desert heritage of King Faisal of Saudi Arabia, who funded the project. The four towering minarets are inspired by the shape of a traditional Turkish pencil.

Construction on the King Faisal Mosque began in the 1970s, and it was officially completed in 1986. The mosque was entirely funded by the government of Saudi Arabia as a gift to Pakistan. It is named in honor of King Faisal, who was assassinated in 1975.