Contemplate the striking blue dome above us. It marks the King Abdullah I Mosque. This Amman landmark stands as a memorial. King Hussein built it. He dedicated it to his grandfather, King Abdullah I.
King Abdullah I Mosque is an example of contemporary Islamic architecture. It commemorates King Abdullah I. He was the founder of Jordan’s ruling dynasty and the first King of Jordan. The vast blue dome is quite impressive. It is 35 meters in diameter. Quranic inscriptions decorate the octagonal prayer hall below. Up to 3,000 Muslims can pray under it at once. The space can hold over 10,000 worshipers.
There’s also a women’s section. It accommodates 500 worshipers. A smaller royal enclosure exists as well. The King Abdullah I Mosque also features a small museum. It celebrates the life of King Abdullah I.
Interestingly, King Abdullah I Mosque is the only mosque in Amman that welcomes non-Muslim visitors. It is open to visitors between Saturday and Thursday. You can visit in the morning and around lunchtime. The mosque is only open to Muslims on Fridays. This is the Islamic day of worship. It sometimes closes for Muslim holidays and special events.
King Hussein commissioned the King Abdullah I Mosque. He wanted to honor his grandfather. The mosque’s inauguration occurred in 1989. Abdel-Wahed El-Wakil designed it. He blended traditional Islamic motifs with contemporary design.
Note the symmetric octagonal shape of the mosque courtyard. It covers 1615 square meters. The courtyard can accommodate 3,000 worshipers. The dome covers the entire area. It stands 31 meters high. Impressively, it was built without columns. The outer sides of the courtyard support it. The stone facade overlooks the courtyard. You can see Ayahat from Surat Al-Rahman inscriptions decorating it.
The women’s prayer hall spans 300 square meters. It accommodates 500 worshipers. The royal cabin measures 250 square meters. Islamic inscriptions decorate it. A traditional copper chandelier hangs in the middle of its dome.
The main events hall accommodates 400 people. It comes fully equipped. There is air conditioning and audio translation. It also has voting, television, sound, lighting and alarm systems.
The library covers 400 square meters. It is fully equipped and furnished. It holds more than 20,000 books. The Islamic Museum spans 150 square meters. One area includes King Abdullah bin Al Hussein’s monuments and manuscripts. The other contains Islamic artifacts. These artifacts date back to different Islamic eras in Jordan. You can also find pictures and models of Islamic archaeological sites in Jordan.
Considered a symbol of piety and beauty, the King Abdullah I Mosque embodies Jordan’s rich heritage. It promotes harmony among diverse communities. Whether admiring its architecture or praying, visitors are captivated by its allure. Remember King Abdullah I as we conclude our visit. He has left a lasting mark on Amman.