Images of worship: Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

Everyone who lives in Muscat has driven past the architectural wonder that is the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, many have visited, and many have prayed there too. This iconic monument of faith is not only a wonderful place of reflection and prayer, it is also home to an architectural museum of sorts, paying homage to the various eras of Islamic design, as well as many notable modern architectural features that serve as inspiration for the eyes and soul. Byzantium and Early Islam Islamic art set itself apart from other art forms by staying away from typical nature imagery and instead adopting floral and geometric designs. Artists from Byzantium and Rome had greatly contributed in the forming of this new visual art, which can be seen in architecture and decorative works. During the first Islamic dynasty, most mosques embraced mosaic-inspired design, including The Mosque in Damascus and the Prophet’s Mosque in Al Madinah.