The mosque's dome is 150 feet high and features a central chandelier with thousands of crystal pieces.
The complex was funded by the Turkish government’s Presidency of Religious Affairs.
The architectural design follows the classical style used by the famed Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan.
Nearly all materials for the mosque’s intricate interior decorations, including the tiles and marble, were imported from Turkey.
The site includes a restaurant serving authentic Turkish cuisine, open to the general public.
The Diyanet Center of America is a 15-acre Turkish-American cultural and religious complex designed in the 16th-century Ottoman architectural style. It features a grand mosque modeled after the Selimiye Mosque in Edirne, Turkey, complete with two 175-foot minarets. The site includes a community center, library, indoor swimming pool, gym, and guest house. A central courtyard features a traditional Turkish fountain, and the interior displays intricate Iznik tile work and hand-painted calligraphy. The campus serves as a bridge between Islamic tradition and the local Maryland community through cultural exhibits and educational outreach.
From the center of the courtyard looking toward the main entrance portal (the 'Crown Door').
Check the website for community event schedules as the facility hosts frequent cultural festivals and open houses.
Walk the outdoor gardens; the landscaping is designed to reflect traditional Ottoman garden layouts.
Remove shoes before entering the prayer hall, even if it is not during a designated prayer time.
Do not enter the prayer area during active congregational prayer sessions without prior permission.
The complex remains open to visitors daily, though access to the prayer hall may be restricted during specific prayer times.
Visitors must dress modestly; women are requested to cover their hair and shoulders in the mosque, and all visitors should keep noise levels low in the prayer hall.
