An Interesting Place- Muscat
Keffiyeh or traditional headdress in the Middle East.
Muscat, Oman Thursday, March 26, 2015
Welcoming, exotic, and hospitable are some of the best ways to describe Muscat. Oman.
Our guide started the engine of his mini bus and drove toward the Grand Mosque. The full name of this magnificent iconic structure is the "Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque", which dominates the skyline of Muscat.
Opened in 2001, this is the only mosque in Oman open to non-Muslims and one of the largest in the Gulf, with room for an estimated 20,000 worshippers in the two prayer halls and surrounding courtyard. The prayer hall is square in shape and 74.4 by 74.4 metres (244 by 244 feet) has a central dome rising to a height of 50 metres (160 ft) above the floor. The dome is embellished spectacularly from the inside and it is a major tourist attraction in itself. The entire complex was built from 300,000 tons of sandstone and covers an incredible 40,000 square meters.
Astonishing facts of its Design, Interiors and Architecture which will make anyone to visit the Grand Mosque of Muscat.
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat is one of the most beautiful and extravagant modern mosques in the world. This grand iconic structure in the Arab world took six years to build. The mosque features a blend of Islamic, Middle Eastern, and Omani architectural styles. Despite these things there are few astonishing facts regarding its design, interiors and Architecture that will make anyone to visit this Mosque.
1. WORLD’S LARGEST CHANDELIER
When it opened for public, the mosque used to have the world’s largest chandelier. The chandelier is located in the centre of the men’s prayer hall and measures a staggering 14 meters and weighs 8,500 kilograms. It holds around six hundred thousand shining bright Swarovski crystals, with 24 carat gold plating which took more than four years to complete.
At the Souk, it is a sparkling market full of light, crowded with shoppers and tourist alike, , brimming with fresh produce and dry goods and souvenirs. There was even a coffee shop with esperesso?
2. WORLD’S LARGEST CARPET IN THE PRAYER HALL
When it opened for public, the mosque used to have the world’s largest single piece carpet, which is now the second largest single piece carpet in the world. The carpet is one of the major features of the design of the interior which covers around 4,343 square meter area of the prayer hall. It contains, 1,700 million knots, measuring around 60x70 meters, weighs around 21,000 kilograms and took around four years to produce, and brings together the classical Persian, Isfahan and Kashan (cities in Iran) design traditions. This hand-woven carpet was produced by Iran Carpet Company (ICC).
3. DELIGHFUL ART AND INTERIOR
The Grand Mosque is embellished in beautiful, colourful mosaic patterns. There is no official number for how much stones have been used, but surely it is an amazing and impressive sight. Walk inside the halls is important to see the handcrafted details of the mosque. It is truly a one-of-a-kind piece of interiors art.
4. MODERN ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURAL WONDER
Quietly imposing from the outside and inside, this mosque is a glorious piece of modern Islamic architecture.
The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is the largest mosque in Oman, located in the capital city of Muscat.
5. WELCOMES ALL
The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is one of the only mosques in Oman that allows any visitors (non-Muslims and of any religion) inside the prayer halls. Children under ten years of age are not permitted inside the prayer halls. Inside the prayer halls there is no eating or sleeping or use of cell phones is allowed. These rules help anyone to provide a peaceful and quiet worship environment in the fabulous building.
If you visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque someday, do not miss to see the library and walking around the outer corridor along the mosque which features a variety of mosaics artworks and explanations of the different design styles uses.
6. BEAUTIFUL MOSAICS AND CEILINGS THROUGHOUT THE MOSQUE
There are numbers of beautiful mosaics and art patterns throughout the mosque. Detailed carvings and its uniqueness is a must watch. Inside the mosque the timbered panels reflect the architecture of traditional Omani ceilings. The whole Mosque is decorated in colorful and beautiful mosaic patterns.
7. SURROUNDED BY BEAUTIUFL GARDENS
The mosque is surrounded by beautiful and well maintained gardens. Inside the surrounding walls of the mosque there are more gardens and long magnificent walkways. It feels like a perfect way of designer/architect to protect the mosque from the noise of the city.
The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is one of Muscat's star attractions. It's an architectural marvel that has some of the prettiest facets - minarets, carvings, carpets, etc.
From the Mosque we went to the souk. Mutrah Souq is one of the oldest markets in Oman, dating back about two hundred years. It is probably the most popular souk in Oman. It is located in the Muttrah corniche on a busy street with two main entrances. Mutrah Souk has narrow winding alleys roofed with wood. Among the local Omanis, this souk is called the Market of Darkness, because of its wooden roof that allows little sunlight inside. Mostly men, sell traditional and local Omani products and crafts like Omani daggers, traditional clothes, silver crafts and jewellery, pottery and local food. It is evidently heaven to shopaholics.
The Muttrah Souk is a maze of matchbox-like shops, and you'll find yourself navigating through winding alleys, hit by an assortment of sights and sounds. Although most shops accept cards, its best to carry cash. If you disagree with prices, feel free to bargain. The Muttrah souk is busiest in the evenings when it starts to bustle with energy and activity.
“Laa, laa, keteer!” “No, too much,” I said shaking my head handing back the frankincense.
The corniche is long, starts from the fish market and ends at a park. Is very beautifull, clean, safe with large pavements, ideal for famillies with kids.
The man with deep dark eyes with matching camel long eyelashes cocks his head. What did you say?
“Okay, then give me, three hundred dirham for it,” he said while handing back the incense to me.
I shrug, “Keteer,” (less).
Okay, make me a final offer. I grabbed the incense and handed him my dirham and we agreed.
Stretching for 3 kilometres (1.8 miles) along the waterfront, the Mutrah Corniche is an elegant promenade lined with international restaurants, traditional cafes and enticing markets.
Haggling here is a standard operating procedure and everything is open for negotiation. To avoid shooting yourself in the foot at the beginning of the negotiation, always let the seller formulate the first price, or even the second price. In general, the seller will not be long in informing you of his price. You can always ask him the question but avoid the "How much does it cost?" and instead say "How much would you suggest?". From there, pay attention to the announced price, you can start negotiating.
However, do not engage in unnecessary negotiation if you do not really intend to buy the product. But if you are serious about an item, take your time and exchange a few words with the seller. You will probably have to talk about things that are completely different from the object of the sale: your visits, the family, the weather. Take the opportunity to stand out from other tourists by saying a few polite words. This small effort is always appreciated by traders and makes it possible to negotiate under good conditions. In addition, you will show that you are not totally alien to the local culture, which can work in your favour.
For those of our companions who are not used to haggling, they are easy prey from the vendors. But for myself and Bert, we are happy as a lark. We both enjoy bargaining at the suks and we are disappointed if we go to some place where the prices are fixed.
“You can touch, it is okay, “ said one man from a corner shop filled with daggers and swords. “Even if you don't buy or buy, come take a look! He said persistently.
We passed a fruit stand, specializing in nuts and dried fruit which Middle eastern love. I accepted the free sample offered to us. Another vendor sells just dates and figs while next to him is a fruit juice vendor selling freshly squeezed pomegranate juice for a few dirham. Around this fruit stalls, the colors and the smells are a riot but enticing as well.
A man carrying a tray filled with small glasses of tea passed by us. We watched more women passed with their chadors and head scarves while we hear cries of discounts around the souks.
One thing we noticed is, there's a growing middle class.
Later on, we sat on chairs eating our Omani snacks and sipping lemonade that tasted slightly of orange. The only sound we hear are own voices and slurps. We certainly are enjoying plenty of Omani hospitality!