Mosque of Omar

The Mosque of Omar, standing so close to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, is a real gem nestled in the heart of the Old City. It whispers about the turbulent past of Jerusalem and the respect between religions even in the thick of conflict. Standing before its humble facade, you might wonder why it’s not as grand as the nearby Dome of the Rock. The answer lies in its history. It’s not about size, it’s about what it symbolizes. It’s a place where Caliph Omar ibn al-Khattab prayed in 638 AD – the moment he took Jerusalem. Imagine a time when the Crusaders and Muslims fought fierce battles over this Holy City. The first Mosque of Omar was built at the site of the Caliph’s prayer. It wasn’t until centuries later, in 1193, that the current Mosque of Omar, known as the southern Mosque of Omar, was built. The reason for its relocation is the Holy Sepulchre’s entrance. The entrance was moved from the east side to the south, and the Mosque followed suit. Look up at its minaret, built during the Mamluk Period in the 15th Century. This minaret, reaching 15 meters high, was built before the earthquake of 1458. You will see another mosque with an almost identical minaret on the other side of the Holy Sepulchre. It’s the 15th-century Al-Khanqah al-Salahiyya Mosque – they were likely designed as a pair, standing like guards flanking the church. The Mosque of Omar is a poignant reminder of the intertwining faiths and history of this holy city, its walls echoing with the echoes of centuries long gone.