 The central place for muslim worship in Hyderabad, the Mecca Masjid (mosque), is situated near Charminar. It is also one of the largest mosques in the world – designed to accommodate over 10,000 worshippers.
Though the foundation for this mosque was laid by Sultan Mohammed Qutb Shah (1612 - 1626 AD) under the direction of Daroga Mir Faizullah Baig and Choudary Rangaiha. The work continued by Abdullah Qutb Shah and Abul Hassan Tana Shah and was finally completed after 77 years in 1694 by Aurangazeb (1658 - 1707 AD).
 The hall of the mosque is about 75 feet high, 220 feet wide and 180 feet long. Each of the two octagonal columns on either side are made out of a single piece of granite. It took about 8000 masons and laborers and 77 years to complete.
The unique architectural feature of this structure is that its pillars are carved out of single slabs of granite. Some of the bricks used in the construction were made with earth brought all the way from Mecca in 1618 - the reason for this masjid to be known as Mecca masjid.
Mecca Masjid is in the Charkaman area, just southwest of Charminar, in the center of old Hyderabad. Non-muslims are permitted to visit except during prayer times daily, and all day on Friday. Close to the mosque (on the left) are tombs of the Nizams of the Asaf Jahi dynasty.
To the east of Mecca Masjid, you will find the Homeopathy medical college.
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