In Manama, the capital of Bahrain, there is a landmark that cannot be passed by. This is Al Fatih - a mosque that is of great importance for the city, as it is its symbol.
Mosque history and architecture
The mosque was named after Sheikh Ahmad al-Fatih, the conqueror of Bahrain. The foundation was laid in 1984, and the construction was carried out under the direction of Isa ibn Salman al-Khalifa, the father of the current sheikh of the country named Hamad ibn Isa al-Khalifa. The construction of the temple took 4 years. The most expensive materials were used during the work: the floor and walls are made of Italian marble, the doors are made of Indian teak, and the dome weighing 60 tons is made of fiberglass. This is currently the largest dome in the world.
The territory of the mosque occupies 6500 square meters. m and holds at the same time 7,000 believers. A chandelier brought from Austria hangs in the Great Hall, and the walls are painted with quotes from the Koran, one of the ancient styles of Arabic writing - Kufi. Al Fatih Mosque, whose building plan is of interest to visitors, includes a parking lot, a patio, a large hall for men, an upper floor for women and two minarets about 70 meters high.
Initially, the minarets performed 2 roles: from them the muezzin called for prayer and it was easy to find a mosque from them. Today, only the second function remains, since the adhan (call to prayer) is read through the microphone, and the voice is distributed through the speakers. During Muslim holidays and Friday prayers, the mosque is crowded.
Library and Islamic Center
Al Fatiha is the mosque, which is the largest mosque in Bahrain. It takes 18th place among the 20 largest mosques in the world. At the same time, 7000 people can be in it. During Ramadan (the holy month for Muslims), quotes from the Koran are read here, and during the Eid-ul-Fitr (Uraza Bayram) special holiday programs are held.
The mosque also has a second name - the Islamic Center of al-Fatih, which is engaged in the study of the Koran and Islamic culture. In 2006, the National Library of Bahrain was opened here. It also develops excursion programs that are conducted by theologians. For a short time they tell not only about the history of the mosque, but the basics and functions of Islam, basic rituals and beliefs and compare it with other world religions. They also write and publish religious books, magazines and CDs, which are distributed free of charge. An oral test of the muezzins, people who read azan, is conducted.
As for the library, its fund includes 7000 books, half of which were written more than a century ago. Also here are certified copies of the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and books that are written on the basis of hadiths - stories from his life. In addition, here you can find various Islamic periodicals and magazines, including the World Arab Encyclopedia and Al-Azhar magazine, whose numbers were published more than a hundred years ago, as well as other magazines and newspapers.
Tourism
As the main symbol of the city, Al Fatih (mosque) is one of the must-see places. It is open to all comers daily, except holidays and Fridays. At the entrance, women are given capes and a shawl if they are not wearing closed clothing.
The mosque is located in the Jaffar district, off the King Faisal highway, not far from the Royal Beihrain Palace, the residence of the current ruler of the country. On days to visit, guided tours of the complex are held, where guides tell not only about the Islamic religion, but also about the history of Bahrain.
Reviews
For the residents of Manama and the citizens of Bahrain, Al Fatih is a mosque of great importance. It is one of the most beloved places to visit and causes residents a sense of national pride.
As for tourists, they call it huge in size and amazing in beauty and recommend adding it to the list of places to visit. Travelers note that there is a very friendly welcome and incredibly interesting excursions. In addition, the mosque also combined the library and the National Islamic Center. Therefore, it is worth noting in the notebook or notes on the smartphone the address: Al Fatih Mosque, Bahrain, Jaffar District, King Faisal Highway.