Minarets of the Grand Mosque: Architectural Icons of Islamic Heritage

MAKKAH, March 24 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — Minarets have long stood as powerful symbols of Islamic architecture, serving as landmarks in Muslim communities and calling the faithful to prayer. The minarets of the Grand Mosque in Makkah hold particular significance, standing alongside the holy Kaaba, the heart of Islam.

According to the General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, the Grand Mosque is home to 13 distinct minarets that are architectural masterpieces shaped by centuries of Islamic heritage. While they share a unified design structure, they vary in height and prominence.

Among these minarets, two rise from the Umrah Gate at 137 meters each, matched by another two at the King Abdulaziz Gate. The King Fahd Gate is flanked by two minarets standing at 98 meters each, while a single 98-meter-high minaret crowns the Al-Safa Gate. The Al-Fath Gate boasts two minarets, each 137 meters tall, and four minarets stand within the Third Saudi Expansion, each reaching 135 meters in height.

Each minaret is meticulously designed in five sections: the base, the first balcony, the minaret shaft, the second balcony, and the cover. Over the centuries, their crescent finials have evolved in style, culminating in the elegant forms seen today, reflecting the artistry and devotion embedded in Islamic architecture.

These minarets continue to serve not only as visual landmarks but also as vital elements in daily worship, broadcasting the call to prayer across Makkah through advanced loudspeaker systems, uniting millions of worshippers with their spiritual rhythm.