Mosques in Oman built in Ibadhi tradition

Mosques are an important part of Omani daily life. They serve as places of prayer, schools for the study of religion and as a meeting place for the community.

Mosques which were built in the Ibadhi tradition are simple structures and have no minaret. The simple interiors are occasionally adorned by decorations and calligraphy in the prayer niche and on the wooden ceiling.

Before the act of prayer a ritual washing is necessary, thus mosques were usually built near water sources such as wells or the traditional irrigation system of canals, the aflaj. In this age of municipal water supplies, mosques are located everywhere – often with separate prayer rooms for men and women.