The Mosque of Omar is named after Omar Umar R.A. He went to Jerusalem to accept the surrender of Patriarch Sophronius. The mosque is across from the southern courtyard of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Muristan area of the Christian Quarter is its location.
The mosque is not available for tourist visits and is only accessible for prayers.
What is the story of the mosque of Omar?
Long ago, in the year 637 AD, a momentous event unfolded in the ancient city of Jerusalem. At that time, the Rashidun army, led by Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah, was attacking the city. Among the city’s inhabitants was Patriarch Sophronius, a devout Christian leader who held a steadfast resolve.
As the city walls trembled under the pressure of the siege, Patriarch Sophronius made a remarkable decision. He agreed to give up Jerusalem, but only to Caliph Omar, who was very important in the Islamic world. This decision set the stage for an extraordinary encounter.
Caliph Omar, wise and honorable, went to Jerusalem, a holy city respected by Christians and Muslims. Upon his arrival, he accepted the city’s surrender with dignity. However, history would etch what happened next as a testament to tolerance and respect.
Patriarch Sophronius invited Caliph Omar to pray in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a special place for Christians. It was a gesture of goodwill, a symbol of unity in diversity.
But Caliph Omar, in his wisdom, declined this generous offer. He understood the delicate balance between faiths and the importance of preserving the sanctity of the Christian site. Instead, he chose to pray humbly outside, on the steps that led to the church’s grand entrance. We made the decision to show respect for the Christian faith and protect the Church’s status as a Christian site.
In the years that followed, the Mosque of Omar emerged on the very spot where Caliph Omar had prayed. This enduring symbol of interfaith understanding and respect stood as a testament to the legacy of that remarkable day in history.
Ayyubid Sultan Al-Afdal ibn Salah ad-Din built the Mosque of Omar in 1193 AD. They made it as a tribute to Caliph Omar’s prayer and also as a place for worship.
Caliph Omar visited Jerusalem and showed respect outside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This story reminds us of the importance of respecting different faiths. It is especially important to do so during difficult times.
Is the Mosque of Omar the same as the Dome of the Rock?
No, the Mosque of Omar is not the same as the Dome of the Rock. These two iconic structures in Jerusalem each have their own distinct histories, significance, and architectural features.
The Mosque of Omar is a small and old mosque. Masjid al-Omari is another name for it. The location is near the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
The mosque stands in Jerusalem’s Old City. The Ayyubid Sultan Al-Afdal ibn Salah ad-Din built it in 1193 AD.
He constructed it to honour Caliph Omar’s prayer in the early Islamic era. They constructed the mosque to demonstrate respect for various religions. It also serves as a remembranceof the significant events that took place during the siege of Jerusalem in 637 AD.
The Dome of the Rock is a famous Islamic shrine in Jerusalem, also called Qubbat al-Sakhrah in Arabic. It is on the Temple Mount. The Umayyad Caliphate constructed it in 691 AD.
The Dome of the Rock has a beautiful golden dome and detailed mosaics, making it a famous landmark in the city. Muslims believe it is where Prophet Muhammad went to heaven during the Night Journey. It is very important to them.
The Mosque of Omar and the Dome of the Rock are both important religious structures in Jerusalem, but they are different. The Mosque of Omar is a tall structure that stands as a symbol of Caliph Omar’s prayer.
He prayed at the site of the Holy Sepulchre, and the mosque is a testament to the significance of that prayer. It serves as a symbol of religious tolerance and represents the spiritual and historical connection between Islam and Christianity. This act was a demonstration of respect for different religions.
On the other hand, the Dome of the Rock is an exquisite Islamic shrine located on the Temple Mount. It holds significant historical and religious significance of its own.
The Mosque of Omar was constructed to commemorate the prayer of Caliph Omar near the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This act was a demonstration of respect for different religions.
On the other hand, the Dome of the Rock is an exquisite Islamic shrine located on the Temple Mount. It holds significant historical and religious significance of its own.
Why is the Mosque of Omar important?
The Mosque of Omar holds significant importance because it marks the very spot where a pivotal event in history occurred. This is where Caliph Umar prayed after Muslims took over Jerusalem in 638 CE.
This event signifies the respect and tolerance shown by Caliph Umar towards the Christian community in Jerusalem. Instead of praying inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, he decided to pray outside on the steps.
Who built the Mosque of Omar?
Sultan Al-Afdal ibn Salah ad-Din constructed the Mosque of Omar in 1193. The architects created this architectural masterpiece with the specific purpose of marking the prayer of the Caliph Omar.
The entrance to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was relocated from the east to the south. This change occurred due to a series of damaging events that affected both the Holy Sepulchre and Muslim mosques. These events took place during the 11th and 12th centuries.
The mosque has a tall minaret, about 15 meters (49 feet) high. It was built before 1465, during the Mamluk period. The building may have been built after the 1458 earthquake. During the reign of Ottoman Sultan Abdulmecid I from 1839 to 1860, the site underwent renovations.
The Al-Khanqah al-Salahiyya Mosque has a minaret. In 1418, builders constructed the minaret. It looks almost the same as the one near the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Omar Mosque Prayer Times for September to October
| Date | Fajr | Sunrise | Dhuhr | Asr | Maghrib | Isha |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Sept | 05:04 | 06:26 | 12:33 | 16:01 | 18:46 | 20:01 |
| 21 Sept | 05:05 | 06:26 | 12:32 | 16:00 | 18:45 | 19:59 |
| 22 Sept | 05:06 | 06:27 | 12:32 | 16:00 | 18:43 | 19:58 |
| 23 Sept | 05:06 | 06:28 | 12:32 | 15:59 | 18:42 | 19:57 |
| 24 Sept | 05:07 | 06:28 | 12:31 | 15:58 | 18:41 | 19:55 |
| 25 Sept | 05:08 | 06:29 | 12:31 | 15:57 | 18:39 | 19:54 |
| 26 Sept | 05:08 | 06:29 | 12:31 | 15:56 | 18:38 | 19:52 |
| 27 Sept | 05:09 | 06:30 | 12:30 | 15:55 | 18:37 | 19:51 |
| 28 Sept | 05:10 | 06:31 | 12:30 | 15:55 | 18:36 | 19:50 |
| 29 Sept | 05:10 | 06:31 | 12:30 | 15:54 | 18:34 | 19:48 |
| 30 Sept | 05:11 | 06:32 | 12:29 | 15:53 | 18:33 | 19:47 |
| 1 Oct | 05:12 | 06:33 | 12:29 | 15:52 | 18:32 | 19:46 |
| 2 Oct | 05:12 | 06:33 | 12:29 | 15:51 | 18:30 | 19:44 |
| 3 Oct | 05:13 | 06:34 | 12:28 | 15:50 | 18:29 | 19:43 |
| 4 Oct | 05:14 | 06:35 | 12:28 | 15:49 | 18:28 | 19:42 |
| 5 Oct | 05:14 | 06:35 | 12:28 | 15:49 | 18:27 | 19:41 |
| 6 Oct | 05:15 | 06:36 | 12:27 | 15:48 | 18:25 | 19:39 |
| 7 Oct | 05:16 | 06:36 | 12:27 | 15:47 | 18:24 | 19:38 |
| 8 Oct | 05:16 | 06:37 | 12:27 | 15:46 | 18:23 | 19:37 |
| 9 Oct | 05:17 | 06:38 | 12:27 | 15:45 | 18:22 | 19:36 |
| 10 Oct | 05:18 | 06:39 | 12:26 | 15:44 | 18:20 | 19:35 |
| 11 Oct | 05:18 | 06:39 | 12:26 | 15:43 | 18:19 | 19:33 |
| 12 Oct | 05:19 | 06:40 | 12:26 | 15:43 | 18:18 | 19:32 |
| 13 Oct | 05:20 | 06:41 | 12:26 | 15:42 | 18:17 | 19:31 |
| 14 Oct | 05:20 | 06:41 | 12:25 | 15:41 | 18:16 | 19:30 |
| 15 Oct | 05:21 | 06:42 | 12:25 | 15:40 | 18:14 | 19:29 |
| 16 Oct | 05:21 | 06:43 | 12:25 | 15:39 | 18:13 | 19:28 |
| 17 Oct | 05:22 | 06:43 | 12:25 | 15:38 | 18:12 | 19:27 |
| 18 Oct | 05:23 | 06:44 | 12:24 | 15:37 | 18:11 | 19:25 |
| 19 Oct | 05:23 | 06:45 | 12:24 | 15:37 | 18:10 | 19:24 |
OMAR MOSQUE PHOTOS
Here is this note, Caliph Umar ibn Khattab (r.a) taught Muslims to respect and honor other places of worship. It serves as a beautiful reminder to all.
