The Great Umayyad Mosque in Damascus
The Great Umayyad Mosque, also known as the Umayyad Mosque, is the mosque that Caliph Walid ibn Abd al-Malik, known as Walid I, ordered to be built in Damascus, the capital of the Islamic Caliphate at the time.
The construction of the Umayyad Mosque took place between the years 705 and 715 CE. It is said to be ranked as the fourth most important mosque in Islam after the sanctuaries of Mecca, Medina, and Al-Aqsa Mosque. Additionally, the Umayyad Mosque is considered one of the most splendid mosques built during the early periods of Islam.
Architectural Beauty of the Umayyad Mosque:
It is said that Caliph Walid aimed for the Umayyad Mosque to be an architectural masterpiece for all times. When the construction of the Umayyad Mosque began, the Caliph gathered artisans from Persia and India. He also requested the Byzantine Emperor to send artists to assist in building the mosque, a request that was accepted. Around one hundred Greek artists reportedly participated in decorating this historic Islamic masterpiece, making it a gem of Damascus admired from all corners of the world.
Mosaics in the Great Umayyad Mosque:
The design of the Umayyad Mosque, both internally and externally, received ample praise and descriptions, especially from historians, travelers, and writers who lived and passed through Damascus across the ages. Most of the admiration and praise was directed towards the walls adorned with colorful mosaics. However, a significant portion of these mosaics was erased after the issuance of numerous fatwas (religious rulings) that deemed them forbidden. This situation persisted until 1928 when many of them were restored. The Umayyad Mosque is also notable for being the first mosque where the mihrab (prayer niche) appeared. This is due to its earlier history as a church dedicated to John the Baptist.
The Umayyad Mosque is undoubtedly a masterpiece of the Umayyad dynasty in Damascus, universally acknowledged. It is also located in the heart of the historic Old City of Damascus, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Therefore, visiting it offers one of the most beautiful experiences one can have in Damascus.