Al Badiyah Mosque
| Al Badiyah Mosque | |
|---|---|
| مسجد البدية | |
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| Basic information | |
| Location | Fujairah, UAE |
| Geographic coordinates | Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
| Affiliation | Islam |
| Architectural description | |
| Architectural type | Mosque |
| Specifications | |
| Dome(s) | 4 |
| Minaret(s) | 0 |
The Al Badiyah Mosque (Arabic: مسجد البدية, sometimes transliterated Al Bidyah or Al Bidya) is the oldest extant mosque in the United Arab Emirates.[1] It is located in a small village in emirate Fujairah about 50 km north from region center.[2] It is also known as Ottoman Mosque.[3][4]۔
Contents
History
The mosque's date of construction is uncertain[3] and because the mud and stone built structure uses no wood, radiocarbon dating is not possible. It is estimated to date to the 15th century,[5] however some much earlier estimates have been proposed.[2] The site was investigated by the archaeological center of Fujairah in co-operation with the University of Sydney from 1997-98.[2] and Fujairah Archaeology and Heritage Department came up with the conclusion that the mosque was believed to be built in 1446 AD, along with the two watch towers overlooking the mosque and the village.[3]
Structure
The small, square structure has an area of Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). and was built from materials available in the area, primarily stones of various sizes and mud bricks coated in many layers of whitewashed plaster. The roof has four squat, helical domes that are supported by only one centrally placed pillar that also forms the ceiling. Entrance to the mosque is through double-winged wooden doors.[2]
The prayer hall has a small mihrab (the niche in the wall that indicates the direction of Mecca), a simple pulpit, arches and openings. A central pillar divides the internal space into four squares of similar dimensions. The pillar supports all four domes that can be seen from the exterior.[4]
Inside the prayer hall, a number of small decorative windows allow light and air to enter the mosque. There are also cube-shaped spaces carved into the thick walls where copies of the Quran and other books are stored.[6]
The mosque continues to host daily prayers and is a tourist attraction.[2]
Gallery
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Al Badiyah Mosque, Fujairah, UAE.jpg
Al Badiyah mosque
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Al Badiyah lookout tower, unrelated to the mosque, but is part of the designated historic area
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Al Badiyah Mosque - Fujairah (8).jpg
Mosque interior
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Al Badiyah Mosque - Fujairah (24).jpg
Mosque night view
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Al Badiyah Mosque - Fujairah (15).jpg
Lookout tower night view
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Well at Badiyah Mosque.jpg
Well for performing ablution
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Al Bidyah Mosque. |
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Mosques in the United Arab Emirates
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- ↑ Bidya oldest known mosque in the UAE, gulfnews.com, August 06, 2009, Accessed on August 01 2011
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 The oldest mosque in the country, The National, December 4, 2010, Accessed April 18, 2011.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Designs on the past, gulfnews.com, December 10, 2001, Accessed on August 01, 2011
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ History comes alive, gulfnews.com, July/10/2008, Accessdate 01/08/2011
