Taipei Grand Mosque Introduction
Walking along Xinsheng South Road, you will undoubtedly see a unique building with a 15-meter high dome; everyone passing by cannot help but turn their head to take a closer look. This is the Taipei Grand Mosque. The mosque serves as a place of worship for Islam. The Taipei Grand Mosque covers an area of 2,747 square meters and was completed on April 13, 1960, with funding raised jointly by Taiwan and Saudi Arabia. The architectural designer is the renowned architect Yang Chao-cheng, who is also the designer of the Grand Hotel Taipei. The main structural body is made of reinforced concrete with permanent beams and columns, and the outer walls are reinforced brick covered with fine aggregate cement, surface treatment, and mosaic patterns. The round stone columns are cut from stone, and the primary doors and windows are designed in a large floor-to-ceiling style. Another significant feature is the dome inside the main hall, which is 15 meters high with a span of 15 meters, yet it is unsupported by any columns. The main hall is covered with a handwoven Persian wool carpet donated by a king from a friendly nation and features hanging chandelier lights. The two minarets on the exterior rise over 20 meters high, showcasing a magnificent structure. For over 40 years, kings, presidents, and leaders from various Islamic countries visiting China have made it a point to include the mosque in their itineraries, fully leveraging its role in international diplomacy and cultural exchange. When visiting the mosque, it is important to observe etiquette; access to the main prayer hall and the women's prayer hall on the second floor is limited to Muslims only.
