The oldest mosques in the world can refer to the oldest, surviving
mosque
A mosque ( ), also called a masjid ( ), is a place of worship for Muslims. The term usually refers to a covered building, but can be any place where Salah, Islamic prayers are performed; such as an outdoor courtyard.
Originally, mosques were si ...
building or to the oldest mosque congregation. There is also a distinction between old mosque buildings in continuous use as mosques and others no longer used as mosques. In terms of congregations, there are early established congregations that have been in continuous existence, and early congregations that ceased to exist.
The major regions, such as Africa and Eurasia, are sorted alphabetically, and the minor regions, such as Arabia and South Asia, are sorted by the dates in which their first mosques were reportedly established, more or less, barring those that are mentioned by name in the
Quran
The Quran, also Romanization, romanized Qur'an or Koran, is the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be a Waḥy, revelation directly from God in Islam, God (''Allah, Allāh''). It is organized in 114 chapters (, ) which ...
.
To be listed here a site must:
*be the oldest mosque in a country, large city (top 50), or oldest of its type (denomination, architectural, etc.);
*be the oldest congregation of its type (denomination).
Mentioned in the Quran
The following are treated as the oldest mosques or
sanctuaries mentioned in the
Quran
The Quran, also Romanization, romanized Qur'an or Koran, is the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be a Waḥy, revelation directly from God in Islam, God (''Allah, Allāh''). It is organized in 114 chapters (, ) which ...
:
[ Quran 17:1-7 ]
Africa
Northeast Africa
Northwest Africa
Southeast Africa
Southern Africa
West Africa
Americas
North America
South America
Asia
Arabian Peninsula
Central Asia
China and Taiwan
East Asia
Levant
South Asia
Southeast Asia
Southwest Asia
Transcaucasia
Europe
Central and Eastern Europe
Iberian Peninsula
Russia
Scandinavia
United Kingdom and Ireland
Western Europe
Oceania
Australasia
Melanesia
See also
*
List of oldest minarets
*
List of tallest minarets
This is a list of the tallest minarets in the world. It ranks minarets by their height.
The tallest minaret in the world is the minaret of the Djamaa el Djazaïr in Algiers, Algeria which stands at 265 metres (870 ft).
List of tallest minare ...
*
Holiest sites in Islam
The holiest sites in Islam are located in the Middle East. While the significance of most places typically varies depending on the Islamic schools and branches, Islamic sect, there is a consensus across all mainstream branches of the religion tha ...
*
Islamic architecture
Islamic architecture comprises the architectural styles of buildings associated with Islam. It encompasses both Secularity, secular and religious styles from the early history of Islam to the present day. The Muslim world, Islamic world encompasse ...
*
List of mosques in India
This is a list of notable mosques in India, organised by state or union territory. , India had more than active mosques and had the third largest Muslim population in the world.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Andhra Pradesh
Assam
B ...
**
Congregational mosque
A congregational mosque or Friday mosque (, ''masjid jāmi‘'', or simply: , ''jāmi‘''; ), or sometimes great mosque or grand mosque (, ''jāmi‘ kabir''; ), is a mosque for hosting the Friday noon prayers known as ''Friday prayer, jumu'ah' ...
**
List of largest mosques
This article lists mosques from around the world by available capacity, that belong to any Islamic schools and branches, Islamic school or branch, that can accommodate at least 15,000 worshippers in all available places of Prayer in Islam, praye ...
**
List of mosques
*
List of oldest known surviving buildings
This is a list of oldest extant buildings.
Criteria
A building is defined as any human-made structure used or interface for supporting or sheltering any use or continuous occupancy. In order to qualify for this list, a structure must:
* be a reco ...
*
List of oldest church buildings
*
List of oldest synagogues
Historic synagogues include synagogues that date back to ancient times and synagogues that represent the earliest Jewish presence in cities around the world. Some synagogues were destroyed and rebuilt several times on the same site. Others were ...
Notes
References
External links
International Architecture databaseAl-Masjid al-Haram and al-Masjid al-Aqsa as the First and Second Mosques on Earth
{{Religion-related lists of superlative buildings
Historic preservation
*Mosques
Mosque architecture
Religion-related lists of superlatives
Oldest