Al Saleh Mosque
Located in the heart of Sana'a, Yemen, Al Saleh Mosque is one of the most important religious and historical sites in the region. It is located south of the Al Sabeen Maternal Hospital on the city's southern edge. It is also known as People's Mosque, and the former president of Yemen, Ali Abdullah Saleh, inaugurated it in November 2008.
The mosque is 27,300 square meters (294,000 square feet) in area, and its 13,596 square meters (146,350 square feet) central hall can accommodate 44,000 people. The construction of the building costs around USD 60 million. The mosque, which preaches moderate Islam and is accessible to non-Muslims, is frequently used by tourists.
In this article, we will explore Al Saleh Mosque, learn more about its fascinating history and unique architecture, and provide some tips for visiting Al Saleh Mosque in Yemen.
The History of the Al Saleh Mosque in Yemen
When Yemen was experiencing socioeconomic issues in 2008, with 42% of Yemenis being poor and one in five being malnourished, according to estimates from the United Nations at the time, Saleh faced criticism for launching such a massive initiative. Several mishaps occurred while it was being built. There were some fatalities as a result of the various minaret collapses.
Fighting occurred at the mosque in December 2017 as Houthi and pro-Saleh soldiers clashed. Sanaa, at the time, heard allegations that the Houthis wanted to color the mosque's dome green.
Despite this, the Al Saleh Mosque or People’s Mosque remains an important symbol of Yemeni culture and religion. Yemeni money features the People's Mosque. It is shown on the front of the 250-rial note from the 2009 edition.
The Architecture of the Al Saleh Mosque
The Al Saleh Mosque is well known for its unique architecture, which combines traditional Yemeni elements with more modern Islamic design principles. Black basalt stones and red, white, and black limestones, among other types of stone, were used in the mosque's construction. The Masjid al-Haram in Mecca resembles the building's beauty and architectural perfection.
Numerous Quranic phrases were written on the walls, and it was constructed using a combination of Islamic aesthetics and Yemeni architecture. The design is known as Himyarite architecture. The structure includes seven elegant domes and wooden roofs. The mosque's main roof comprises five domes, with the largest having a diameter of 27.4 meters (90 feet) and rising 39.6 meters (130 feet) above the roof. The remaining four domes are each 15.6 meters (51 feet) in diameter and rise 20.35 meters (66.8 feet) above the mosque's roof.
The term "qamariyah" is used to describe windows with stained glass. Five of the fifteen wooden doors open southward toward the Islamic college, while ten are on the eastern and western sides. The doors have carved copper patterns and measure 22.86 meters (75 feet) in height. There are six minarets, four of which are 160 meters (520 feet) high.
The height of the inner area is 24 meters (79 feet). Huge chandeliers have vibrant and floral patterns, contrasting with the soft carpeting's detailed patterns. Along with libraries and more than two dozen classrooms with space for 600 students, the three-story structure housing the Quran College also has other spaces for learning. Three enormous halls are dedicated to women only; 2,000 women may fit in a tiny hall.
In addition to full security measures, such as bomb-sniffing dogs, the mosque contains modern central air conditioning, sound systems, and other features. The mosque is illuminated throughout the night.
What to See at Al Saleh Mosque
The Al Saleh Mosque is an important site for pilgrimage for Muslims from all over the world. Thousands of Muslims journey to Sana'a to pray at the mosque every year. It is situated in the Old City of Sana'a and is one of the largest mosques in the city. The mosque was built in 2008.
The mosque is situated in Al-Sabeen Square, the largest parade square in the nation, which is near the presidential palace. T FunCity is a neighboring amusement park. As part of the concept of a combined service concept, the grounds have large gardens, lush courtyards, and parking for a large number of automobiles.
Conclusion
The Al Saleh Mosque is a modern and beautiful mosque in Sana'a, Yemen. The mosque is one of the most important religious monuments in Yemen. The mosque is made of various stones and has six minarets, each over 100 meters tall. The mosque is decorated with intricate Islamic calligraphy and is a significant historical monument not only for Yemen but for the Muslim world as a whole.

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