Right here before us stands a testament to faith and history. It is not just any mosque but the Abdus Attar Mimani Mosque. It is a place where countless prayers have been offered over the years. The Abdus Attar Mimani Mosque stands as a beacon of devotion.
Islam sees Abraham as having built the Kaaba in Mecca. Consequently, it’s sanctuary is viewed as the first mosque that ever existed. The Kaaba is the holiest shrine in Islam. It is housed within the Great Mosque of Mecca. This makes the Abdus Attar Mimani Mosque a part of an incredibly significant story.
The Great Mosque of Mecca has a rich history. The modern building we see today is the result of centuries of development. In pre-Islamic times, the Kaaba was a shrine for Arab polytheists. People gathered in an open space to pray and perform rituals. Even then, the Kaaba held significance for those who would become the first followers of Prophet Muhammad.
In 630 CE Muhammad returned to Mecca. He ordered the destruction of idols within the shrine. This act cleansed it of polytheistic associations. The first Muslim structure was a wall around the Kaaba. It was built in 638 by Umar ibn al-Khattab.
Later caliphs added to the structure. They included partial ceilings columns and decorations. A major renovation occurred under the Abbasid caliph al-Mahdi. He rebuilt and expanded the mosque. This relocation of the outer walls ensured the Kaaba stood at the courtyard’s center.
The Great Mosque faced damage from fire and flooding. It required rebuilding in the early 14th century. Another renovation took place in 1571 under Ottoman Sultan Selim II. The court architect Sinan was directed to improve the building. Sinan replaced the flat roof with small domes. These Ottoman additions remain as the oldest parts of the modern structure.
In the 20th and 21st centuries, the Great Mosque underwent modernization and enlargement. The first electric lighting was installed during the reign of Hussein ibn Ali. An electric public-address system was first used in 1948. Drastic changes occurred in the latter half of the 20th century. Commercial air travel increased the number of pilgrims to Mecca. Saudi Arabia’s oil wealth funded massive construction projects.
The first Saudi enlargement began in 1955 under King Saud. Completed in 1973, it expanded the mosque’s area. It grew from about 290000 square feet to about 1630000 square feet. The mosque’s maximum capacity increased to 500000.
King Fahd initiated another expansion in 1984. This accommodated the increasing number of Hajj pilgrims. Buildings around the mosque were razed. This created a wide paved area. Escalators pedestrian tunnels and passageways were added. A modern communications system and air conditioning were constructed. After this enlargement the mosque could hold up to 820000 worshippers.
The Abdus Attar Mimani Mosque connects to this grand history. It stands within a city central to Islam. It is a place of prayer and reflection for many. Its existence is intertwined with the story of the Great Mosque of Mecca. This impressive historical site continues to evolve. It meets the needs of a growing global community of Muslims.