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Pakistan's Faisal Mosque.. A contemporary Islamic architectural wonder

"Faisal Mosque" reflective of the contemporary and influential feature of modern Islamic architecture
"Faisal Mosque" reflective of the contemporary and influential feature of modern Islamic architecture

Photo-feature by Sardar Burhan

ISLAMABAD, Dec 15 (KUNA) -- Pakistan's "Faisal Mosque", located by Margalla Hills in capital city Islamabad, is reflective of the contemporary and influential feature of modern Islamic architecture, attracting foreign and local tourists with its eye-pleasing features.
Faisal Mosque, the largest in Pakistan, has a post-traditional feeling to it due to its exquisite architectural feature.
Named after the Saudi King Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, the construction of the mosque began in 1976 with a generous grant from Saudi Arabia.
King Faisal's successor King Khaled bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud laid the foundation stone for the mosque in October 1976 and signed the construction agreement on 1978.
Combined the structure covers an area of 54,000 square feet making it the fourth largest mosque in the world in terms of capacity. The Faisal Mosque was the largest mosque in the world from 1986 until 1993.
In 1969, an international competition was held in which architects from 17 countries submitted 43 proposals. The unconventional design by Turkish architect Vedat Dalokay was selected in the international competition.
Without a typical dome, the mosque is shaped like a Bedouin tent, surrounded by four 90-meter-tall minarets, the tallest in South Asia. (end) sbk.gta