Description of the attraction
The Al-Khamis Mosque is considered the first shrine in Bahrain, built during the era of the Umayyad Caliph Umar II, whose reign dates back to the 6-7 century. But according to various researchers, the mosque and one of the minarets were built much later, during the reign of the Al-Uyuni dynasty in the 11th century. The second minaret, the twin of the first, was built another two hundred years later, during the reign of Al-Asfurs, who came to power after 1253. The similarity of the minarets of the ancient cultural monument is especially clearly visible on the road to the village of Al-Khamis from Manama.
The opinions of historians on the date of the laying of the first stone differ, since Islam took root in Bahrain in the 7th century AD, when Muhammad sent his envoy, Al-Al Al-Khadrami, to preach to the ruler of Qatar and Bahrain, Savva Munzir ibn Al-Tamimi. The ancient ruler converted to Islam, as did the entire Arab region. Such a success of religious teaching suggests that the mosque was founded at the same time. But the limestone tombstone with the surahs of the Koran, found during the restoration, dates from the scholars of the 11-12th century.
The prayer hall was originally covered with an earlier flat roof, supported by date palm pillars. Later, the wooden elements were replaced by stone arches supported by thick brick walls (which were dated to the mid-14th century). In total, two large-scale restorations of the mosque have been documented - in the 14th and 15th centuries.
The Al-Khamis Mosque is one of the first shrines open for free visits by tourists.
