Grand Mosque of Kuwait: A magnificent prayer house

By John V Tauro, Mangalore
Bellevision Media Network

Kuwait, 22 April 2012: The Grand Mosque is the official mosque of Kuwait. It is located opposite the Sief Palace and is the largest among the over 800 mosques around Kuwait. Its area spans 45,000 square meters (480,000 sq ft.), out of which the building itself covers 20,000 square meters (220,000 sq. ft.). Construction on the mosque started in 1979 and was completed in 1986.

 

Entrance to the mosque is open to people of all religions and nationalities. However certain decorum is expected when one visits the mosque. Pre-booked tours are possible between 9am and 4pm from Saturday to Wednesday and it is expected that tourist should dress respectfully and modestly covering arms and legs.

 

Before retiring from my 45 years of working in this country, I had the opportunity of visiting this place. I have passed by this area a million times, but this chance was an eye opener. I reached on time and was asked to be in the waiting area. The waiting place was well spaced and truly Kuwaiti traditional style seating and hospitality.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The guide greeted and welcomed all, and proceeded to show us the inner areas of the mosque. The guide gave us facts about the main prayer hall which can accommodate up to 10,000 men and up to 950 women in the separate hall for women. This large hall has 22 teakwood doors and is lit up by 144 windows. In the middle there are small shelves that form a 350 foot square. They contain Islamic reference books and documents. This is also where they kneel and say their prayers. The ceiling is a beautifully painted dome that is 26 meters in diameter and 43 meters high. Painted on it is the "Asma al-hosna," which means the 99 names of God. They are the names of God that are revealed in the Qur’an, the religious text of Islam.

 

As one climbs up in the pulpit in the front, he can look around the entire room. One can see all the traditional chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. And the walls are intricately designed with the minutest of details beautifully done. The big teakwood doors are surrounded by colorful tiles making out shapes like suns and flowers. They are mainly in the colors such as yellow, blue, tan and white. But they add a nice touch to the atmosphere of the mosque.  The guide further took us to the VVIP diwaniya area (sitting place) where the Amir of Kuwait greets his people after the Eid prayers.

 

Maintaining the sanctity of the place, we slowly moved out into the large open space, where the guide informed us that the mosque has a 5 level parking space underground for the worshippers and can accommodate 550 cars at any time. I was amazed at this piece of information, as I had this question in mind when I looked at the traffic during prayer times and whenever I passed by the area.

 

The guide led us to the waiting area once again and offered us dates and drinks, true to the Kuwaiti hospitality. Our tour ended but left an impression in our minds on the opulence of this place from the inside.