The Shah Faisal Masjid that is the biggest Masjid of Pakistan is located in Islamabad. It is not only largest Masjid of Pakistan but also it is one of the largest Masjids of world. It is the national Masjid of Pakistan and it is gifted by the friend of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia. This Masjid is the largest Masjid of Pakistan with the capacity of 300, 000 worshipers. In 1966 Late King Faysal bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia visited Pakistan and he announced to construct a Masjid as a friendship gift for Pakistan. In 1969, a competition was held among the world's architects, approximately 17 countries took part in this competition and total 43 proposals was submitted by different architect. Among all them a Turkish architect name, Vedat Dalokay's design was selected. In 1979 construction was started that was managed by the National Construction of Pakistan that was supervised by Azim Borujerdi. The total expenditure upon the construction of Masjid was 130 million Saudi Riyals. All that money that was required to construct the Masjid was funded by the Saudi Arabia government. This Masjid is named after the King Faisal bin Abdul Aziz who decided to construct this Masjid, in 1975 he was killed in an assassination. The construction was completed in 1986. In the beginning it was used as the house of International Islamic University. Adjacent to the Masjid the mausoleum of Late General Muhammad Zia Ul Haq is located. Shah Faisal Masjid is situated in front of the Margalla Hills, at the end of the Shahra-e-Islamabad. This Masjid is recognized as the symbol of Islamabad city. The design of Masjid is marvelous and makes it different from the architecture of other Masjids of the world. The basic structure lacks the traditional rounded dome, as dome is considered as the symbol of Masjid in Islamic world. Msajid is covering an area of 5,000 square meters and it is capable of accommodating 300, 000 worshipers.
