Abu A’esha Mosque

What if I told you that this mosque, the Abu A’esha Mosque, has a fascinating connection to Syrian architecture? The Abu A’esha Mosque, commissioned by King Hussein and Mustafa Jakazi, was built in 1961. It was funded by a man named Abu Darwish, who also owned the land. Abu Darwish, originally from the Caucasus, had a deep admiration for Syrian design. He even sketched the mosque’s blueprints himself. The striking black and white striped stone, reminiscent of Syrian architecture, was brought in directly from Syria. This unique feature makes the Abu A’esha Mosque visually captivating. From the Citadel of Amman, the mosque is a striking sight. One of my previous tour groups spotted it from the Citadel. They noticed the distinct black and white stripes on top of Jebel al-Ashrafiyeh hill and asked if it was on our itinerary. It was a testament to their keen eyesight. Getting to the Abu A’esha Mosque can be an adventure itself. Amman traffic is notorious. Our journey involved descending the Citadel hill, crossing a valley, and then ascending the steep, winding roads of Jebel al-Ashrafiyeh. It’s worth the effort, though, especially if you arrive during the call to prayer. We visited during prayer time. Our guide, a liberal Sunni Muslim, requested we wait outside. He went to inquire about a possible visit after prayers. During the wait, we explored the mosque’s exterior and a nearby administrative building. Prayer echoed from the outside speakers. Eventually, the sheikh welcomed us inside. He unlocked the gate and gave us a private tour. The interior is surprisingly simple, yet beautiful. We entered a small room with a mihrab and lecturn. It was adjacent to a central room with a small circular washing area, using bottled water. This initial room was perhaps for children or those learning to pray. We were then granted permission to visit the main prayer room upstairs. It was much larger, with another mihrab. The interior design, unlike the unique exterior, was simple but beautiful. This visit to the Abu A’esha Mosque offered a unique glimpse into Islamic hospitality and the beauty of religious architecture.