All about the ancient Al Bidyah Mosque in Fujairah
One of the oldest mosques in the UAE, Al Bidyah Mosque stands testament to the cultural heritage of Fujairah. The historical landmark that dates back to the 15th century tells stories of historical civilisations and is a window to the innovative engineering of that era. The mosque’s history, aesthetics and strategic location make it a highly-frequented destination by history buffs and visitors to Fujairah.
WHERE IS AL BIDYAH MOSQUE LOCATED?
The Al Bidyah Mosque location map will show you that this historical mosque stands overlooking the Arabian Sea on the coastal road between Dibba and Khorfakkan. Essentially, the Bidya Mosque or the Ottoman Mosque as it is sometimes called is located in the Dibba district of Fujairah.
You can use the plus code C9Q3+G7 Al Bidya, Fujairah – United Arab Emirates to find the exact Al Bidyah Mosque location in Fujairah.
DIBBA AREA IN FUJAIRAH
Dibba, Fujairah offers a unique combination of ancient history, beautiful nature and peaceful surroundings. It is these qualities of Dibba that attract tourists, especially those who want to spend some quality time exploring what it has to offer, away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURE OF AL BIDYAH MOSQUE IN FUJAIRAH, UAE
Al Bidyah Mosque in Fujairah is considered one of the oldest mosques in the country and is also a tentative entry for the UNESCO heritage sites in UAE. One of the most interesting facts about Al Bidyah Mosque is that even today, centuries after it was first built, the mosque hosts daily prayer congregations for locals and tourists alike.
This historical edifice is an important page out of the region’s cultural and architectural history. The ancient Al-Bidyah Mosque has an exterior built out of stones and burnt mud. The mosque has four domes supported by a pillar in the middle of the structure. A mihrab and a small minbar (pulpit) with internal openings made for ventilation in an ingenious work of old-school engineering.
Al Bidyah Mosque covers an area of about 53 sq.m. It is small but historically significant and a great place to visit if you’re looking for things to do in Fujairah, which is why the mosque and its surrounding vicinity is often swarmed with visitors. The mosque stands on the hillside with two equally ancient watchtowers nearby, one of which is located a short climb away on the mountain.
The Al Bidyah Mosque also has a walled rectangular courtyard for prayer congregations. There is an ancient water well nearby that must have served as the water source for performing wudu (ablution) in ancient times. The mosque’s courtyard is home to a sidr tree, which is said to be as old as the mosque itself.
Much about Al Bidyah Mosque’s history still remains unknown. It is not clear who built the mosque, but it is believed that the Ottoman mosque is named after the person who built it. The Ottoman in the name, however, has nothing to do with the Ottoman Empire.
AL-BIDYAH MOSQUE FROM THE INSIDE
Walk into the mosque and you’ll notice that the main hall is characterised by important elements of Islamic architecture. There are four arches that divide the mosque into four unequal sections, square windows that allow sunlight to enter the interior and the muqarnas (ornamented vaultings) that adorn the walls of the pillars connected to the domes.
OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT AL BIDYAH MOSQUE
While a lot about the oldest mosque in the UAE still remains a mystery, here are some quick Al Bidyah Mosque facts that we do know about:
- The mosque was built in 1446 AD
- Its total covered area is 53 sq.m and it can accommodate about 70 worshippers at a time
- The mosque was restored in 2001
- Currently, there are no visiting hours specified for mosque tours
- Entry to the mosque is free
- Non-Muslim visitors are allowed to visit the mosque as long as they are dressed modestly
MOSQUE MAINTENANCE
The Department of Antiquities and Heritage in Fujairah carried out the restoration and repair operations of the mosque in cooperation with the Dubai Municipality. The restoration process that covered the old mosque and the surrounding monuments took more than a year to complete.
This brings us to the end of this post on the Al Bidyah Mosque in Fujairah, UAE. The country has several other historical spots that are worth visiting. Within Fujairah, Al Hayl Castle that dates back to 1830 is a great spot.
Dhayah Fort in Ras Al Khaimah was built in 1819 and is a symbol of resistance against the British army.
Dubai’s Al Fahidi Historical district, once a trading hub for pearl and textile merchants in the region, is yet another great 19th century heritage site worth visiting.
Besides all this, there are several archaeological sites in the UAE that might interest anyone who has a knack for historical relics and discoveries.
