Wazir Akbar Khan Mosque

The Wazir Akbar Khan Mosque is a large modern mosque built in the 2010s and is one of the most recognisable landmarks of the Wazir Akbar Khan district in north-central Kabul. The district itself is a leafy, relatively affluent quarter of embassies, offices and residences, and the mosque stands out within it for its distinctive central dome and tall minarets, which are visible from many of the surrounding streets. Architecturally it is a contemporary building, with a large prayer hall, an ornamented entrance and an open courtyard, and it contrasts with the older eighteenth- and nineteenth-century mosques of the Old City. The mosque is an active place of worship that serves the neighbourhood, so visitors should treat it as such: the best approach is to view the exterior and courtyard, and to ask permission before going further. A visit takes about 20 minutes. Afternoon is a good time, when the light is warmer on the dome and the streets are calmer than in the morning rush. Prayer times and Fridays bring large congregations, and visitors should avoid these periods. Entry is free. Dress should be modest, with covered arms and legs, and women should carry a headscarf. A taxi from Shahr-e Naw takes about ten minutes and costs roughly 70 to 120 AFN (approx $1-1.50). The mosque is easy to combine with other stops in the Wazir Akbar Khan and Shahr-e Naw areas, such as Chicken Street and Kabul City Center. Because the district houses sensitive institutions, photography near embassies and checkpoints can be restricted, and visitors should ask locally before photographing streets around the mosque.