Al Saleh Mosque
Al-Saleh Mosque is a modern mosque in Sana’a that is the largest in Yemen. It lies in the southern outskirts of the city, south of the Al Sabeen Maternal Hospital. Originally named “Al Saleh Mosque”, it was inaugurated in November 2008 by the late Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh. The mosque, 27,300 square metres in size, has a central hall that is 13,596 square metres with an occupancy capacity of 44,000. The building cost nearly US$60 million to construct. Open to non-Muslims, the mosque is frequented by tourists, and promotes moderate Islam. The mosque was constructed using different types of stone, including black basalt stones as well as limestone in red, white and black. The building is compared in its beauty and architectural elegance with the Masjid al-Haram, in Mecca. It was built in a fusion of “Yemeni architecture and Islamic styles”, with many Quranic verses inscribed on the walls.
The layout is referred to as “Himyarite architecture”. The building has wooden roofs and seven ornate domes. Windows fitted with stained glass are locally referred to as qamariyah. While the plush carpeting contains intricate patterns, huge chandeliers have colorful and flower-like patterns. The three-storied building that includes the Quran College also contains libraries, and over two dozen classrooms, enough space to accommodate 600 students. The mosque has a modern central air conditioning and sound systems, as well as full security arrangements, including bomb-sniffing dogs. The building stays lit through the night.
- Al Saleh Mosque
- Location: Sana'a
- Country: Yemen
- Area: 27,300 square meters
