Prophet Abraham and his eldest son, Isma'il, raised the foundation of the sacred house, but worship in this site could be backdated to the dawn of mankind on earth.

The first House (of worship) appointed for men was that at Bakka: Full of blessing and of guidance for all kinds of beings.
[Qur'an 3:96]

Built by the Prophet upon his arrival to Madina, the mosque was later expanded into its existing form through three distinguished stages: by the Ummayyad (661-750 AC), Ottoman (1299-1923 AC), and finally today's Saudite dynasty.

Built after the Sacred Mosque at Makkah, its current architectural form is backdated to the early Islamic period (7th-8th century AC). Prior to the Islamic conquest to Jerusalem in 638 AC (during the reign of the second caliph in Islam Umar ibn al-Khattab), the mosque was neglected and became a place of refuse under the Christian rule. Umar cleansed the mosque from refuse and restored it again as a house of worship.

Glory to (God) Who did take His Servant for a Journey by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Mosque.
[Qur'an 17:1]

Built during the reign of the 5th Ummayyad caliph Abd al Malik ibn Marwan, the Dome encloses an outcrop of rock whereby the Prophet Muhammad started his ascension (Mi'raj) to heaven (Qur'an 53:13-18). The Crusaders used the mosque as a cathedral, but was later converted back into a mosque (1187 AC) by Saladin (1138-1193 AC). Apparently, the mosque was built within the sacred site of the Aqsa (Farthest) Mosque.

Built by the 10th Abbasid caliph Al-Mutawkkil (847-861 AC), shown here is the mosque's 165 ft high minaret. It is known as the Spiral (Al-Malwieyya). An ingenious design incorporating the art of building and the applied mathematics of setting up this huge asymmetrical three dimensional monument.

Built during the abbasid era, the domed structure covers the mosque's fountain, the minaret tower appears in the background. The mosque is named for its builder, Ahmad ibn Tulun, who served under the Abbasid governor of Egypt. Later, he founded the Tulunid Dynasty (868-905 AC).

The Qingjing, or purity, Mosque, was built in 1009 AC during the Northern Song dynasty (960-1127 AC). It is the oldest extant mosque in China to survive into the 20th century in its original form, and was designed on the style of the Great Mosque of Damascus, Syria and built with pure granite.

Islam began in the early 7th century AC, and during that time four of the Prophet's companions, who travelled with difficulties to China across vast ocean, arrived to China to preach during the early Tang dynasty (618-907 AC). On the Lingshan Hill in the eastern suburbs of Quanzhou are the graves of two of the disciples of the Prophet. The people of Quanzhou referred to them respectfully as the Graves of the Saints, and to the hill as Divinity (sanctity) Hill. This is one of the earliest historical sites related to the transmission of Islam to China, and also one of the earliest Islamic graves in China.

The mosque lies 60 miles southeast of Marrakech and was established in memory of Muhammad ibn Tumart, founder of Almohad movement, which started from Tinmal.

The principal mosque of Marrakech, the spiritual and administrative centre of Almohad dynasty (1130-1269 AC) in the Maghreb. Its slender minaret is 220 ft high, and has since its construction become a symbol of Marrakech.

Fortresslike mosque, built in west Africa from rammed clay and timbers - an architectural style typical of the region. By the 14th century, this part of sub-Sahara Africa was recognised as an important centre of Islam.

A classic simplicity with the dome topping a square-shaped structure, a palm tree in the foreground enhances Arabic Islamic features.

Built during the Safavid era (1501-1732 AC) by Shah Abbas I, its multicoloured light-reflecting tilework creates a dazzling effect, enhanced by the pool of water in its courtyard.

Built during the reign of Aurangzeb (1658-1707 AC), it is the largest Mughal mosque. Aurangzeb, who was known for his piety, emphasised the functional rather than the lavish aspects of architecture. In the foreground, a pavilion built in 1818 by the Sikhs during their invasion to Lahore.

The Mosque and Minaret were built in simple Afghani style, from the year 1777 to 1788 AC, by Emin Khoja. They are examples of a distinctive Uighur cultural style. Turfan city was the strategic center of military and political influence in the Turfan Basin in the early Qing Dynasty. It was here that Suliman was granted the title Zarsak Prince. Emin Khoja was named Zhengao Prince and Prefectural Monarch by the Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty.

Built by Hasan Pasha, a province governor under the Ottoman empire, in the 19th century the French converted the mosque into a cathedral. Today, the building is again in use as a mosque and is one of the most important in Algiers.