Oman: Access to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque will now be paid

The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Oman’s architectural gem and major tourist site, is introducing entrance fees for visitors. The move, reported by the Times of Oman, aims to improve services and better manage the growing influx of tourists to the iconic landmark, famous for its impressive 14-metre chandelier and prayer carpet once considered the largest in the world. world.

Faced with the controversies aroused on social networks, the Sultan Qaboos Higher Center for Culture and Science (CSSQCS) wanted to clarify that these fees only concern tourist visits. Access remains free for Muslims during prayer times as well as for visits of a religious, cultural or scientific nature.

“This measure meets current site management requirements,” explains the CSSQCS. A partnership with the private sector has been established to strengthen the cultural dimension of the place and create opportunities for local SMEs. The contracted company notably recruited 35 multilingual Omani guides to accompany visitors. This initiative reflects a growing challenge in the management of religious sites in the face of mass tourism. It illustrates the search for balance between heritage preservation, religious accessibility and sustainable tourism development.