The Ulu Mosque in Utrecht is located at Mosque Square, the first square or street in the Netherlands named after an Islamic religious building. In addition to its main Islamic prayer hall, the mosque features a contemplation room open to people of all denominations. This unique space was created by the mosque’s board to foster interfaith dialogue, particularly considering the significant Christian and Jewish populations in the surrounding neighborhood.

The mosque is managed by the Islamitische Stichting Nederland, a branch of the Sunni-Turkish Diyanet Directorate, though its funding primarily comes from donations by Turkish communities in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. The mosque officially opened in October 2015.

The building consists of six floors, including a basement. The ground floor houses shops and restaurants, while the first floor includes meeting rooms, classrooms, and a women’s gathering space, along with the aforementioned quiet room for non-Muslim contemplation. The basement features additional meeting rooms and language classes. The second floor holds the main prayer hall, which accommodates 1,500 worshippers, with two large balconies for women. At night, the mosque’s glass brick minarets are illuminated, adding to its striking presence.

Architecturally, the mosque blends Dutch red brick with glass blocks and steel, offering a modern yet traditional design. The interior was designed by renowned Turkish designer Semih Irtesh, who focused on creating an environment of openness and transparency, ensuring the mosque serves as a welcoming space for all.