The Grand Mosque Oman

The Grand Mosque of Oman is the creation of the current ruler of Oman, Sultan Qaboos. In the early 1990's, the Sultan decided that his country should have a grand mosque to compete with those of other Muslim countries.

A nationwide competition was held for its design in which hundreds of applicants submitted their designs for the building of the mosque. After the winner and a building site were chosen, construction on the mosque commenced in 1995.

It took almost six and a half years for the project to be completed. However, in May of 2001, it was completed and christened by the Sultan. Constructed from Indian sandstone, the mosque cuts an imposing figure. However, it is a beloved house of worship for many Muslims.

The main prayer hall, which is called a musalla, can house up to seven thousand worshippers at once. There is also a woman's musalla which can hold almost seven hundred and fifty worshippers.

In addition to these prayer halls, there are also covered passageways, meeting halls, and a library.

The library is currently filled with almost 20,000 books. All in all, the mosque can house 20,000 worshippers at any one given time.

The outer courtyard of the mosque allows for the accommodation of 8,000 worshippers alone. The passageways and the inner courtyard also offer room for pilgrims to practice their religious faith.

The craftsmanship and detail that cover the interior of the mosque is truly astounding. The interior is constructed almost entirely of marble in colors of gray and off white.

Tile work, in various floral patterns, adds a sense of elegance to the many murals that are found in the hallways of the mosque. Verses from the Koran, framed in gold, adorn the walls of the two prayer halls.

Two of the most prominent, and most famous, features of the Grand Mosque are its Persian carpet and its chandelier. The Persian carpet is used as a prayer carpet. It is the largest hand-woven carpet in the world.

Weighing over 21 tons, it took four years to complete. Over six hundred women from various provinces in Iran were involved in its making.

The chandelier in the men's prayer hall is another point of interest to visitors. It is comprised mostly of gold plated metal work, and it also is covered in Swarovski crystals.

The chandelier is over fourteen meters tall. In addition to its primary purpose as a house of worship, the Grand Mosque is also used as an epicenter of Islamic learning.

It has built a reputation as a prominent institute of advanced Islamic studies, with educational facilities and housing accommodations available onsite. TMariya_Wordsworth he primary form of Islam that is studied at the Grand Mosque is Ibadi.

One of the most ancient sects of Islam, Ibadi is tolerant of many other religions and it shows respect towards women, elevating them even to the highest levels of government available.

Because of this religious toleration, people of all faiths are welcome to worship at the Grand Mosque of Oman.

By : Mariya_Wordsworth

What is the Advantage of Having a Toy Hauler?

In the beginning, a toy hauler was a basic trailer for carrying heavy loads of snowmobiles, quads, and other small outdoor recreational vehicles to a place where their owners could enjoy them. Since then, some of them have developed into so much more.

You can purchase a toy hauler with just the basics, or you can buy one with all of the space and amenities of a Class A Motorhome, plus the advantage of having a built-in garage to go.

What are some of the uses of a toy hauler?

Beyond the obvious use of carrying around ATVs, jet skis, and dune buggies, these Sport Utility Recreational Vehicles are good for recreational travel on their own.

You can take them camping, and use them for temporary housing in an emergency. They are great for families who have different interests.

Those who prefer to go somewhere and then stay put have the luxury of the motorhome. Motorsports enthusiasts can take their toys along, and enjoy exploring the great outdoors with like minded enthusiasts.

Getting full use of the garage

The garage of your toy hauler will have an easy to clean floor, and you can utilize it in various ways. You may have utility cabinets for storage and work benches for projects. With chairs and a sofa added, it can serve as a large living area.

Hideaway beds transform it into extra sleeping space for larger families or guests. Optional fuel tanks in the garage facilitate refueling your toys.

Things to consider when you are ready to buy a toy hauler

You already know that a toy hauler is a huge investment. It follows then, that you want to go cautiously as you consider your needs.

Some dealers offer RV rentals, and this would help you make decisions about what you want. Do you have a vehicle that can pull the weight of a combined RV and toy hauler with a full garage?

Will you be using it mostly in the summer, or in the winter? Research the different brands for their reputations. You can save considerable sums of money if you can find good used RV sales.

Be sure you go over both new and used trailers to make sure everything works as it should. Thoroughly investigate RV dealers to find someone reputable and dependable.

Now, it's time to narrow your search; find the best deal for you, and use your recreational time to full advantage. You'll enjoy the travel and the interaction with other toy hauler owners as well.

By : Julie_Jacobs