Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

In Blogtime it is Monday January 9, 2012.


Today we will be visiting the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. No expense has been spared,  it was completed in 2001  (read modern technology and building materials),  our expectations are high.





But first we must concentrate on the lavish Chedi a la carte cooked breakfast menu

Driving towards the Mosque

Upon arrival we noted the rules,  we note that Women are discriminated against compared to the clothing options for men.

And so the lovely ladies are today a little more covered up than usual.

Next, in several languages , English is shown here, I was treated to a one page summary of Islam.

This is the floor plan.  It is truly impressive.

The entrance for non devotees i.e. visitors is far far away

But it was worth it ....

Truly intricate and quite spectacular

Agata waits patiently for the husband

On exit from this splendid mosque we passed by the Islamic Information Centre.  Apart from slogans as shown above (don't confuse it with Arbeit mach frei ) we picked up some literature including A brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam and Women in Islam.   Here is a random quote from the former:

Page 32: Ever since the Qur'an was revealed, fourteen centuries ago, no one has been able to produce a single chapter like the chapters of the Qur'an in their beauty, eloquence, splendour, wise legislation, true information, true prophecy, and other perfect attributes.

Wow, I never realised that.

Now who said Islam had no positive aspects?

Agata reads "Women in Islam" whilst constructing a makeshift burqa

All the manual workers at the Mosque I saw without exception were Indian.  Therefore it was a nice suprise to see one of their trusty tranports, an Atlas bicycle

Time now to head back to the Chedi, a few more Km in that 103 metre pool and pack up for our last night in Oman this time.

Our farewell dinner was at the renowned Indian restaurant Mumtaz Mahal.   Nice dinner, but in our live music set, what was the lady in the middle doing.  Mystery :-)


And so readers, this is the end of our wonderful Omani holiday.  I know what you are all thinking.   It is practically a crime to send young Marcus and Agata back to work tomorrow.  Well, until we can finally retire it shall be so. Perhaps in 2102?




Links
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
Mumtaz Mahal Restaurant Reviews
Atlas bicycles India
A brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam
Discover Islam