Mosque Name: Mosque of Bosra
Country: Syria
City: Bosra
Year of construction (AH): 102 AH
Year of construction (AD): 721 AD
GPS: 32°31’16.95”N 36°28’58.70”E
ArchNet: http://archnet.org/sites/10552
Gibson Classification: Between
Rebuilt facing Mecca: never
For a Link to the Qibla Tool Click Here
Description:
The Mosque of ’Umar is located in the ancient Nabataean city of Bosra, about 140 km south of Damascus. Although Bosra is known for its famous, still-intact theater, the city also displays strong Islamic (especially Ayyubid) architectural influences. Some of its Islamic monuments include: Hammam Majak, Mosque of al-Khider, Mabrak Mosque, Fatima Mosque and the Mosque of ’Umar.
Caliph ’Umar, who led the Muslim conquest of Syria in 636, choose the location for this mosque, and a prayer place was started there. The mosque that stands there today was built and completed in 720 AD by Caliph Yazid II. As was usual in early mosque construction, everything of the original mosque was removed or covered over, and the new mosque built over-top. This is similar to other mosques, such as the Wasit Mosque, the Tiberias Friday Mosque, and the Qiblatain mosque in Medina. The 720 AD mosque was later renovated and expanded in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries by the Ayyubid dynasties who also fortified the theater and baths.
As you can see from the photos the mosque’s orientation does not face towards Mecca or Petra, but Between.
Green Arrow: Mecca, Yellow Arrow: Between, Red Arrow: Petra, Black Arrow: Jerusalem, Blue: Mosque Orientation.
The Mosra mosque.
Page Discussion
Membership is required to comment. Membership is free of charge and available to everyone over the age of 16. Just click SignUp, or make a comment below. You will need a user name and a password. The system will automatically send a code to your email address. It should arrive in a few minutes. Enter the code, and you are finished.
Members who post adverts or use inappropriate language or make disrespectful comments will have their membership removed and be barred from the site. By becoming a member you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy, Cookies & Ad Policies. Remember that we will never, under any circumstances, sell or give your email address or private information to anyone unless required by law. Please keep your comments on topic. Thanks!