Umayyad Mosque (Great Mosque of Damascus )
The Umayyad Mosque, also known as the Great Mosque of Damascus, is one of the oldest and largest mosques in the world, located in Syria's capital, Damascus. Constructed between 705 and 715 under Caliph al-Walid, it was built on the site of a Roman temple dedicated to Jupiter and a Christian cathedral dedicated to John the Baptist. The mosque holds significance for both Muslims and Christians; it is believed to be the resting place of John the Baptist's head and is also viewed by Muslims as a site of eschatological importance. Visitors are drawn to the mosque not only for its religious value but also for its stunning art and architecture, including intricate mosaics and white marble walls that reflect sunlight beautifully.
Throughout its history, the mosque has endured various challenges, including damage from fires and the ongoing Syrian civil war, yet it remains a vital center for worship and community life. It has continued to serve as a place of prayer during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing its role in the lives of local Muslims. The mosque is also a pilgrimage site for Christians and has attracted global attention, exemplified by Pope John Paul II's historic visit in 2001. With its rich artistic heritage and architectural significance, the Umayyad Mosque stands as a remarkable symbol of shared religious history and cultural appreciation.
Umayyad Mosque (Great Mosque of Damascus )
The Umayyad Mosque (Great Mosque of Damascus) is one of the oldest mosques in the world. It is also one of the largest. It is in Damascus, Syria, and sits on top of an old Roman temple dedicated to Jupiter and a Christian cathedral dedicated to John the Baptist. Construction took place between 705 and 715 under the direction of Umayyad Caliph al-Walid ibn Abd al-Malik. Both Christians and Muslims currently view it as a holy site because it is believed to be the resting place of John the Baptist’s head. Muslims also believe that it is the place where Jesus will return at the end of days. While many visit the Great Mosque of Damascus for religious reasons, others come to see its art and architecture. The mosque is both a place of prayer and worship and a tourist attraction.
Background
Alexander the Great went through Syria about 332 BCE, claiming the area for Greece and bringing it under Greek influence. The Greek god Zeus, was worshiped alongside the Mesopotamian god Hadad, and worshipers built a temple for them near the center of Damascus. When Rome conquered Greece, this temple was expanded and dedicated to the Romanized form of Zeus, Jupiter.
This temple of Jupiter stood for several centuries. As Christianity began to spread across the region, people no longer wanted a temple to Jupiter in their midst. The structure was eventually converted to a Christian cathedral by Emperor Theodosius in 391 CE. This was dedicated to John the Baptist. Christians came from all over the area to remember him and worship.
In 636, Damascus was overtaken by Arabs who practiced the Muslim faith. They negotiated with the Christian population of Damascus and agreed to protect their property, lives, and churches. At first, the Christians maintained control of their cathedral.
However, Caliph al-Walid of the Umayyad Caliphate was eager to prove himself by building a mosque like the one his father, Abdul Malik, had built in Jerusalem (Dome of the Rock). He wanted to do this on the location of the current cathedral because it was central to the city. He tried to buy the church, but his offer was turned down. Then, he ordered his workers to tear it down. Most of them were Christians, and they refused. Finally, he picked up a pickaxe and began to tear it down himself.
It took ten years to build the Great Mosque of Damascus. Since then, it has been rebuilt and added onto many times. A fire in the 1890s destroyed much of it, including many of the mosaics for which it was widely known. These had to be remade and recreated with meticulous work, and the structure was rebuilt.
People travel from all over the world to see the Umayyad Mosque, both as tourists and as worshipers. Additionally, people local to Damascus still go there to pray regularly.
Overview
People visit and appreciate the Umayyad Mosque for a wide variety of reasons. Muslims treasure it as one of the great mosques of their faith. In fact, it is still central to the faith of many and is the location of events that are important in the Islamic faith.
The mosque also continued its calls to prayer throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, even through the months when people were praying alone at home and not gathering. This allowed the mosque to continue being a center of daily life for Muslims in Damascus, helping hold the community together until they could meet in person again.
The Umayyad Mosque also remained open throughout the Syrian civil war, which started on March 15, 2011. Fighting occasionally got close to the mosque, but did not directly affect it. There were reports that the mosque was damaged in 2013, but that damage actually occurred to another mosque built by the Umayyad Caliphate in Aleppo, about 220 miles north of Damascus. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which preserves historical sites all over the world, called on both sides to respect the area’s history and keep fighting away from these valuable historical sites.
Christians also make pilgrimages to the mosque, to venerate the head of John the Baptist, which is believed to be enshrined there. Pope John Paul II even prayed there in 2001, marking the first time in known history that the pope had worshiped in a mosque.
Art aficionados and experts alike appreciate the mosque for its mosaics. Despite fires and other tragedies ravishing it over the years, the Umayyad Mosque is still known for having mosaics that shine with gold. They depict many things, including the local landscape and images of heaven from the Quran. Historical descriptions indicate that there were once more mosaics and inscriptions, but these have not survived to the present day.
The artistically and architecturally inclined also appreciate the mosque for its white marble walls, which appear transparent when the sun is shining on them. These have inlays of marble and other stones, making them works of art in their own right.
Three poems written when the Umayyad Mosque was built have been translated into English for the first time. These give more detail about not only the mosaics but about the marble used to build the structure’s impressive walls. They also tell of glass-inlay mosaics, most of which are only preserved in the words of these and other writers.
The structure of this mosque is an early example of architecture that became much more common in the years following its construction. It is made up of a spacious courtyard surrounded by a portico on three sides, with a shaded place for prayer. This area has three parallel aisles and a wide central space called the nave. Over the nave sits the mosque’s dome, called the Dome of the Clock.
The Umayyad Mosque is a historic treasure and one of many places that both Muslims and Christians hold sacred. It also garners appreciation for its art and architecture.
Bibliography
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