Istiqlal Mosque

Indonesia has more Muslims than any other country on Earth, and in its capital Jakarta stands Istiqlal, which means 'Independence' in Arabic.

It was built to thank Allah for Indonesia's freedom. Around 200,000 people can pray there, standing on cool marble under a dome 45 metres wide — the number 45 chosen for the year 1945, when Indonesia became independent.

The design is modern and open, with stainless steel and white marble instead of heavy decoration. There is even a huge drum called a bedug, an old Indonesian way of calling people to prayer.

Something special: right across the street is Jakarta's big cathedral, and the mosque lets Christian neighbours use its car park on their holidays, while they do the same on Eid. Neighbours helping neighbours.

On Ramadan nights the whole building glows and the sound of thousands of people praying together drifts out over the busy city.