“Another worshipper needing guidance?” a young boy asks. Here we stand before Masjid Minirah Al-Turki, also known as the Turkish Mosque. This mosque is more than just a place of worship. It is a landmark with historical and cultural significance.
The Imam Turki bin Abdullah Grand Mosque, a Sunni Islam Friday mosque, stands in the ad-Dirah neighborhood of Riyadh. It is near the al-Hukm Palace, in Deera Square. The mosque’s story began around 1830. Turki bin Abdullah Al Saud was in power at that time. The mosque was rebuilt in 1992, showcasing the Modern Najdi architectural style.
Masjid Minirah Al-Turki is one of Saudi Arabia’s largest mosques, able to accommodate 17,000 worshippers. It spans 16,800 square meters. The exterior and upper interior feature brown Arriyadh Limestone. This limestone glows golden in the night. White marble adorns the lower interior. Separate libraries exist for men and women. Each library measures 325 square meters. Two bridges connect the mosque’s first floor to al-Hukm Palace. These bridges cross as-Safaat Square.
Before this grand structure, a mosque existed on the site. It was built between 1826 and 1830. The Arriyadh Development Authority rebuilt the Grand Mosque. It reopened in January 1993.
Rasem Badran designed the rebuilt mosque in the Modern Najdi style. In 1995, it received the Aga Khan Award for Architecture. Originally, the minarets mixed Ottoman and Egyptian styles. They featured rectangular sections topped by rounded sections. The courtyard porticos rose in a triangular shape. These minarets were rebuilt in a rectangular neo-Najdi style. The courtyard was resurfaced. The porticos now present a modernized version of their former shape.
Consider the countless prayers said within these walls. Think of the community gatherings and the quiet moments of reflection. Masjid Minirah Al-Turki stands as a testament to faith, architecture, and the enduring spirit of Riyadh. It links the past with the present.