- Address: Al Bidya Mosque, Fujairah - United Arab Emirates
- Area: 53 sq.m.
- Condition: current
- Confession: Sunni Islam
The oldest mosque in the United Arab Emirates is Al Badiyah (Al Badiyah Mosque), it is also called the Ottoman. The structure is shrouded in numerous secrets, which attract hundreds of tourists every day.
general information
Al-Badia Mosque is located near the homonymous village, near the city of Fujairah . Scientists still can not pinpoint exactly when the temple was built. There are several assumptions regarding the year of the foundation of the shrine, it varies from 500 to 2,000 years. The most plausible dates are:
- 640 is pre-Islamic times, the building was originally used for other purposes;
- 1446 - this date was determined after a series of archaeological studies and is listed at the entrance to the shrine.
This difference is due to the fact that specialists could not find the materials on which the radiocarbon analysis is usually carried out for age. By the way, Al-Badia Mosque is considered to be the oldest not only in the UAE, but in the entire world space. Its coevals on our planet have survived only a few pieces.
Another secret mosque is the origin of its second name - the Ottoman. This building has nothing to do with the famous empire of the same name. Historians suggest that this was the name of the founder of Al Badia, but no exact data have been found so far. True, according to legend, it is believed that the shrine was built by the fishermen as a token of special gratitude when they discovered a huge pearl in the sea.
Description of sight
The total area of the building is 53 square meters. There are about 30 people at the same time. The mosque was erected from improvised materials that were found in this territory: gypsum, various stones and raw brick covered with several layers of plaster.
Al-Badia has an unusual architecture and is quite different from the traditional designs of mosques in the country . The facade of the shrine resembles the temples in Yemen, which are erected on the coast of the Red Sea.
The base of the structure was made in the form of a square. The roof of the building is crowned by a 2-meter dome consisting of 4 turns. They serve to collect rainwater. The entrance to the shrine is an original two-winged door made of wood. Decorate the room and a variety of arches.
In the center of the mosque there is only one column supporting the ceiling and dividing Al-Badia into 4 equal parts. Inside the structure there is still a minbar, which is a continuation of the wall. Mihrab (a niche indicating the direction of Mecca) is located in the prayer hall, and in the center of the mosque you can see a table intended for religious rituals.
On the floor are laid out special rugs for praying red and blue. In the thick walls are carved niches that have a cubic form, where ministers keep religious books, including the Koran. Through small windows that are in the form of flowers, a large amount of sunlight and air penetrate Al-Badia.
Features of visit
At present, the shrine is active, prayer rites are held here every day. Only the believing Muslims can enter the building. Tourists who profess a different religion are considered to be gentiles, so they can only inspect Al-Badia from the outside.
Visitors should remember that it is necessary to visit the mosque with closed shoulders, elbows and knees, and also barefoot. Here you can not loudly talk and scream, and photos should be done in a way that does not interfere with praying believers.
How to get there?
From Fujairah , you can get here by car on the road Rugaylat Rd / E99. The distance is about 30 km. The city also organizes excursions to attractions.