'Dating back to the 17th century, Mecca Masjid is one of Hyderabad’s oldest monuments that is still in use. With the ability to accommodate as many as 10,000 worshippers, it is also counted among the largest mosques in the world. Named after the Islamic shrine in Saudi Arabia, the Masjid has some of its bricks in the central prayer hall molded with soil specially brough in from Mecca, the most sacred city for Muslims. The Masjid is also home to religious relics and the tombs of the Ashaf Jahi rulers. Decked with grand architectural specimens including minarets and domes, one also finds several verses of the Holy Quran inscribed across its arches. In its courtyard is a large pond that gives an air of serenity to the surrounding and is relaxing to just sit by. '