Umayyad Mosque
Al-Jami' al-Umawi (الجامع الأموي) in Arabic
Also known as: Great Mosque of Damascus, Jami' Bani Umayyah al-Kabir
Religions: Islam, Christianity | Place Type: Mosque | Region: Middle East
Overview
The Umayyad Mosque, also known as the Great Mosque of Damascus, is one of the largest and oldest mosques in the world, located in the old city of Damascus, Syria. It serves as a primary center of congregational prayer and a major destination for both Muslim and Christian pilgrims. The site has functioned as a sacred space for various faiths over three millennia. It is a key component of the Ancient City of Damascus UNESCO World Heritage site.
Present
The mosque is administered by Syria's Ministry of Religious Endowments (Awqaf). Despite the Syrian Civil War (2011-present), which caused damage to other historic sites, the Umayyad Mosque largely remained protected and continued to function.
The mosque remains an active place of worship, hosting thousands of worshippers for Friday prayers and filling during Ramadan. The courtyard serves as a public space for residents of the old city.
Religious Significance
Islam
The Umayyad Mosque is the fourth holiest site in Islam. A shrine within the prayer hall is believed to contain the head of Yahya (John the Baptist), a prophet recognized in the Quran. According to Islamic tradition, the Prophet Isa (Jesus) will descend from heaven at the southeastern minaret (called the Minaret of Jesus) on the Day of Judgment. The mosque also contains shrines commemorating Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, whose martyrdom is central to Shia Islam.
Christianity
The shrine of John the Baptist (called Yahya ibn Zakariyya in Islam) draws Christian pilgrims. John the Baptist is revered in Christianity as the prophet who baptized Jesus Christ. A church dedicated to John the Baptist stood on this site before the mosque was built, and tradition holds that his head was buried here. In 2001, Pope John Paul II became the first pope to pray inside a mosque when he visited this shrine.
History & Structure
The site originally housed an Aramean temple to Hadad in the 9th century BCE, followed by a Roman Temple of Jupiter in the 1st century CE. In the 4th century, it was converted into the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist. Following the Muslim conquest of Damascus in 634, the space was shared by Christians and Muslims until Caliph al-Walid I commissioned the current mosque construction between 706 and 715. The site is part of the Ancient City of Damascus UNESCO World Heritage designation.
Resources
- Wikipedia: Umayyad Mosque