Mosque visiting etiquette in Pakistan is simple: dress modestly with arms and legs covered, women cover their hair, take your shoes off before the prayer area, keep quiet, and avoid visiting during prayer times. The big historic mosques that receive tourists, such as Badshahi Mosque in Lahore and Faisal Mosque in Islamabad, are used to visitors and will tell you where you may and may not go.
This guide is for anyone stepping into a mosque for the first time, including Pakistani visitors from cities whose habits differ from those in the mountains and countryside.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Dress | Arms and legs covered, loose clothing; women bring a scarf |
| Shoes | Off before the prayer area; leave them at the shoe stand |
| Best time to visit | Between prayers, not at midday on Friday |
| Photography | Fine in courtyards; never of people praying |
| Non-Muslims | Welcome at the major historic mosques, with some areas closed |
Can non-Muslims visit mosques in Pakistan?
At the large, well-known mosques, yes. Badshahi Mosque, Faisal Mosque and the mosque at Thatta all receive visitors of every faith. Access to the inner prayer hall differs from place to place and can change, and some sources say non-Muslim visitors are asked to stay out of the main hall at Faisal Mosque, so follow the signs and the guards.
Smaller neighbourhood and village mosques are for worshippers, and some will not expect visitors. If you would like to look inside one, ask someone nearby or at the door first, and accept a no without argument.
What to wear
Modest, loose clothing is expected of everyone.
- Men: long trousers and a shirt that covers the shoulders and upper arms. Shorts and sleeveless tops are not acceptable.
- Women: long sleeves, long trousers or a long skirt, a loose top that covers the hips, and a scarf or dupatta over the hair. A shalwar kameez does this with no thought.
- Everyone: avoid tight or transparent clothing and clean, closed socks help on a hot marble floor.
Carry a scarf in your bag whenever you go sightseeing in a city. Some mosques provide cover-ups, but you shouldn't count on it.
Shoes and washing
Shoes always come off before the prayer area, and often before the courtyard. Most large mosques have a shoe stand at the gate, where an attendant looks after your shoes for a small tip or fee, and a plastic bag lets you carry them with you instead. Marble and stone floors get very hot in summer, so bring socks.
Worshippers wash before prayer at the ablution area. As a visitor you don't have to, but don't walk through the wet area in your shoes and don't use the taps for other purposes.
Prayer times and Fridays
Muslims pray five times a day, at times that move with the sun, and mosques fill up for each one. Visit between prayers and you will find the building calm and easy to look around.
Friday is different. The midday congregational prayer (Jummah) draws the largest crowds of the week, and historic mosques can be closed to visitors for it or full to the doors. If you have a choice, see them another day. The month of Ramadan changes the rhythm again, with quiet days and packed evenings. Our guides to Badshahi Mosque and Faisal Mosque cover the individual sites.
How to behave inside
- Speak quietly and keep phones on silent.
- Never walk in front of someone praying. Walk behind them, or wait until they finish.
- Don't sit with your feet pointed at the prayer wall or at the Quran.
- Don't touch the Quran or other religious items unless you have been invited to.
- Don't eat, drink or smoke inside the building.
- Keep couples' physical contact private.
- Ask before you enter if you are unsure about anything, or if the door is shut. If a guide offers to show you around, agree the price first.
Photography
Photography of the building is generally fine in the courtyard and often in the hall, but there are limits.
- Never photograph people while they are praying, or without permission.
- Ask permission before photographing worshippers, and expect a no from some women.
- Follow any signs and instructions from guards.
- Leave the drone at home. Rules on flying them are strict; see our photography rules and drone rules.
Women and mosques
Arrangements for women vary. At the large tourist mosques, women can enter the courtyard and often the hall. In many local mosques there is a separate area for women or none at all, so do as instructed. Women travelling in the north will find that the same rules of dress apply, and more strictly in villages. Our guide to what to wear in Pakistan as a foreign woman has more detail.
Mosques worth visiting
Among the best known are Badshahi Mosque and Wazir Khan Mosque in Lahore, Faisal Mosque in Islamabad, Shah Jahan Mosque in Thatta and, in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral, the older wooden mosques. See our list of famous mosques in Pakistan, and our FAQs for other questions on visiting Pakistan.
Frequently asked questions
Can tourists enter mosques in Pakistan?
At the major historic mosques such as Badshahi and Faisal, yes, outside prayer times. Access to the main prayer hall varies and can change. Ask at the entrance before going in.
Do women have to cover their heads in a mosque?
Yes. Women are expected to cover their hair with a scarf or dupatta and wear loose, long clothes.
Do I need to take my shoes off?
Yes, before the prayer area and in most cases before the courtyard. Leave them at the shoe stand and tip the attendant.
Is it okay to visit a mosque on Friday?
It is better not to. The midday Jummah prayer fills the mosque, and some are closed to tourists during it. Choose another day.
Can I take photos inside a mosque?
Usually of the architecture, yes, but never of people praying, and follow any signs. Ask permission before photographing individuals.
What should men wear to a mosque?
Long trousers and a shirt covering the shoulders and upper arms. No shorts or sleeveless tops.
