Inside 8 of the world's most beautiful mosques

As Muslims around the world observe the holy month of Ramadan, turn your gaze towards these mosques with their breathtaking interiors.

1. Masjed-e Sheikh Lotfollah, Isfahan, Iran

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Built between 1603 and 1619, the mosque does not have a minaret or a courtyard, probably because it was not intended for public use - members of the royal court worshipped here.

2. Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque), Istanbul, Turkey

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Nicknamed for its bright hues, the Blue Mosque is adorned with thousands of Iznik tiles and has six slender minarets. Its courtyard is said to be the biggest among all Ottoman mosques.

3. Nasir ol Molk Mosque (Pink Mosque), Shiraz, Iran

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Gorgeous rose-coloured tiles cover the interior of the Pink Mosque. The best time to visit is in the morning, when the rays shine through its beautiful stained-glass windows, throwing a kaleidoscope of colours onto the ground.

4. Qol Sharif Mosque, Kazan Kremlin, Russia

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Originally built in the 16th century, the mosque was destroyed in 1552 by the tsar's army and left dilapidated for centuries. It was rebuilt in 2005 and houses an Islamic museum.

5. Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Abu Dhabi, UAE

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The largest mosque in the UAE was built by artisans from all over the world, representing the Islamic world's cultural diversity. It is made of plush materials such as gold, semi-precious stones, crystals and marble stone.

6. Mausoleum of Mohammed V, Rabat, Morocco

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Considered an architectural marvel of the Alaouite dynasty, the mosque contains tombs of members of the Moroccan royal family, including King Hassan II. Traditional artistic techniques and modern design are effortlessly intertwined here.

7. Mukhtarov Mosque, Vladikavkaz, Russia

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Russian architect Jozef Plosko designed this structure after being inspired by several mosques in Cairo, Egypt. The Sunni mosque is set against the dramatic Caucasus mountains.

8. Wazir Khan Mosque, Lahore, Pakistan

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Resplendent in fanciful faience tilework, the mosque has walls that feature calligraphy in Arabic and Persian. A Pakistani movie was also shot here.

This article was first published in Singapore Airlines’ travel magazine, SilverKris. Go to silverkris.com for more travel stories.