I would like some help on a small matter!! I might be being really stupid, but I wanted to check... can non-Muslims (such as me) go inside the Mosques in Iran? I have heard that this is not allowed in certain countries, so I wanted to check if it was the case in Iran too?
Thanks for you help :)
Hi, you can visit most mosques in Iran. Only a few mosques in Qom and Mashad don't allow non muslims. In Qom there was a sign in English stating that non muslims are not allowed to enter.
Hi; you can visit most of the mosques but not the holly shrines. If you are around Masuleh/Rasht contact me to show you inside of a holly shrine too which is the brother of Emam Reza in Mashhad. “Every rule has its exceptions”.
Agree, you can visit most mosques and they are really worth visiting. If female, some mosques requires a chador, but you can borrow one at the entrance (wait in line for that with the iranian women!).
You shouldn't have any trouble in any mosque, including Mashad and Qom, I saw a guy in Qom who was beyond doubt obviously a blonde haired backpaker in jeans, flip-flops and tight t-shirt just checked his day-bag and thongs, just checked in his shoes and walked into the shrine.
I've never had any issues but then I look Iranian.
You can't take cameras into the Mashad Shrine however qom you can snap a few and they don't enforce it too harshly.
The more popular, famous tourist attractions (often the Mosque-e-Jhome, Friday Mosque) don't even notice tour-groups wandering around. (Shoes are okay on paved areas, not on carpets or prayer areas.)
I've never had any problem at other smaller, more-active local mosques either. I simply quietly and respectfully enter (removing shoes where and if appropriate) and walk or sit quietly to the side. Discrete photos are possible; just be sensitive and aware.
If not sure, simply talk to someone local. Likely as not, they will be proud to show you around "their" mosque -- even the best places to take photos, or some special interior room. If someone appears to be a caretaker, going out of his way to show you special service or access, a tip may be appropriate.
Entering non muslims to Iran's mosques is forbidden by law but they don't take it so hard as lots of travelers check the beautiful architecture and design of mosques without any problem.
Hello
i was last year in the Hazrat Masoomeh Holy Shrine in Qom.It was no problem to get inside.It has a Foreigner Bureau in the Complex and you ask for that on the entrance.It were well if you had somebody by you wher speak farsi,taxi driver or so.In the bureau they speak very well english or france and will give you a guide.It is also no problem to take pictures.