Al-Shafi’i Mosque, witness to early Islamic period

JEDDAH: Al-Shafi'i Mosque stands from ancient times to tell old stories about Islam. Parts of the mosque are dated to the time of Caliph Omar bin
Al-Khattab's rule, i.e. 1,381 years ago. Now, one of the oldest locations in Jeddah has a unique historic value that led it to be listed on the World Heritage List.
The mosque is located on Mazloum Lane in Jeddah and is considered one of the main historical sites in the city. The mosque was named after
Imam Muhammad ibn Idris Al-Shafi'i and used to be known as the old mosque.
The imam was born in Gaza in the Hijri year 150 (767 CE). Al-Shafi'i Mosque tells many stories about Islam during that ancient period. The materials used to build the mosque consisted of sea mud, brick, stone and wood, which gives an idea about the weather and environmental
conditions in Jeddah at the time.
The late King Abdullah ordered the mosque to be renovated at his expense four years ago.
Jeddah Mayor Sami Nawwar said the the renovation work that started four years ago revealed a number of archeological artifacts which led to the estimation of the mihrab’s age to be close to 1,400 years. The pillars were renovated using lead while protecting the 900-year-old minaret as well as
the old 1,700-square-meter pipes.
The mosque's renovation comes as part of the National Program for Caring for Ancient Mosques launched by the Heritage Foundation under
the supervision of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowment, Call and Guidance and in coordination with the Saudi Commission for Tourism
and National Heritage.
The mosque's design shows that it was built during the first three hundred years of Islam, Nawwar said. "The mihrab is located in the front; the minaret is located behind the imam on the right; the well is on the front's extreme left," he noted.
He added that the mosque was renovated according to the archeological heritage of historic Jeddah as well as UNESCO standards. He said
that the mosque was opened for prayer after the end of renovation works.
He said that the renovation exposed and exhibited parts of the mosque that weren't visible before, such as the openings, windows and the external walls. The deformations and old paintings were replaced. The work included tiling and removing shops that were very close to the mosque, as well as building new toilets and sanitation infrastructure. Caution has been exercised to avoid damaging the historical value of its artifacts.
Prince Sultan bin Salman, president of the Saudi Commission for Tourism
and National Heritage, announced the establishment of a fund to renovate old and historic places in Jeddah. He said he would sponsor the Othman bin Affan Mosque as a sadaqa for his late mother.