Urmia Grand Mosque inviting international attention
Urmia, the capital of West Azarbaijan Province, holds a precious gem at its heart: the Urmia Grand (Jaame) Mosque — a structure that has withstood the passage of centuries.
This mosque is one of the most prominent examples of Islamic architecture in northwestern Iran, showcasing a blend of Seljuk, Ilkhanid, Safavid, and Zand styles. Its original core includes a vaulted prayer hall (Shabestan) built during the Seljuk era, featuring brickwork, domes, and geometric vaulting, ISNA wrote.
A stunning mihrab (niche) decorated with fine plasterwork and Kufic and Riq’a inscriptions was added during the Ilkhanid period. According to cultural heritage experts, this mihrab is one of the largest remaining from the Ilkhanid era. During the Safavid and Zand periods, the mosque was further expanded with a forty-column prayer hall and surrounding chambers, ISNA wrote.
Nestled within Urmia’s historic bazaar, this magnificent structure has borne witness to the city’s rich history and culture for centuries. It is now on the verge of being inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site; however, the path to this global recognition presents several challenges.
Major hurdles include completing restoration projects, organizing the surrounding area, and finalizing legal documentation. While recent efforts have been made, a collective push is increasingly necessary to navigate this critical stage.
This year is pivotal for the Grand Mosque. Heritage experts warn that if current deficiencies are not addressed promptly, the opportunity for global registration could be lost.
The Urmia Grand Mosque is more than a historical monument; it is a symbol of the identity, culture, and resilience of the local people who have lived alongside it for centuries. Achieving UNESCO registration would be a lasting honor for Urmia and a proud achievement for Iran.
With its unique architecture, delicate plasterwork, and storied past, it is one of the masterpieces emblematic of Iranian-Islamic identity. Yet, at this crucial moment, challenges remain that require collective effort — any delay risking the future of this irreplaceable treasure.
Global registration reflects more than an entry on an international list; it symbolizes a commitment to preserving the heritage and culture of those who have venerably guarded it through the ages.
Therefore, it is expected that officials, experts, and cultural enthusiasts will collaborate, demonstrating solidarity to establish the necessary conditions for the mosque’s international recognition. In doing so, the Urmia Grand Mosque can shine as a symbol of Iran’s rich history and culture on the world stage.
Mozaffar Abbaszadeh, head of the Faculty of Architecture, Urban Planning, and Art at Urmia University, stated, “In the 10-year tourism outlook for Urmia, there is no opportunity as significant for the city’s globalization as the global registration of the Grand Mosque. This will place Urmia firmly on the map of international tourist destinations.”
He explained that, due to restrictions on the number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, many historical sites are registered as collections of multiple properties. Yet, registering the mosque globally would prominently feature it as a key destination, drawing tourists specifically for its significance.
For example, while tourists currently pass through Urmia en route to sites like Qara Kelisa (Saint Thaddeus Monastery) in the north and Takht-e Soleiman in the south, the global recognition of the mosque would connect these sites, positioning Urmia within the wider network of international tourism destinations.
Abbaszadeh noted, “The dome of the Urmia Grand Mosque is 800 years old, and the mosque itself is over a thousand years old. Its mihrab is the largest stucco mihrab in the world.”
He urged local officials to make every effort to facilitate relocating the seminary by providing suitable land and funding for its construction — offering the faculty’s assistance in designing and supervising the project free of charge.
He emphasized, “The global registration of the Grand Mosque is a unique opportunity to put Urmia on the world map.”
Highlighting the significance, he stated, “The mosque embodies a document of the city’s Islamic identity that spans over a thousand years. We must seize this opportunity to address the challenges ahead, as previous meetings have shown that the seminary officials are ready for positive collaboration.”
Regarding ongoing efforts, Abbaszadeh added, “So far, two phases of restoration have been completed. The first involved organizing the area around the mosque, and the second included extensive internal and external restoration of the dome. Currently, the mosque’s decorations are being restored, and the additional wooden coverings around the columns have been removed.