Great Mosque of Amadiya

Great Mosque of Amadiya (Arabic: جامع العمادية الكبير‎) is a historic mosque in the town of Amadiya, Iraqi Kurdistan.[1] It was first founded in 1177 during the Abbasid era, and has been renovated several times throughout its history.

Great Mosque of Amadiya
Minaret of the Great Mosque of Amadiya
Religion
Affiliation	Islam
Ecclesiastical or organisational status	Mosque
Status	Active
Location
Location	Amadiya, Iraqi Kurdistan
Location in Iraq
Geographic coordinates	37°05′38″N 43°29′18″E
Architecture
Type	Islamic architecture
Completed	1177 CE
Specifications
Capacity	300 worshipers
Interior area	2,000 square metres (22,000 sq ft)
Minaret(s)	1
Minaret height	30 metres (98 ft)

Description

The iconic minaret, which reaches 30 metres (98 ft) high, was erected during the rule of Sultan Hussein al-Wali in the 15th century. The minaret contains spiral staircase which reaches to the top.[2] It is often compared with the minaret of the Great Mosque of al-Nuri in Mosul, which resembles in the construction date and certain characteristics such as square shaped foundation and cylindrical structure. During the 18th century, the dome of the minaret was damaged during a raid, and it was renovated subsequently after. In 1961, the mosque was hit by Iraqi government airstrikes which damaged the upper section of the minaret. It was later reconstructed using the original stones.[3]

The mosque contains harem and several domes built of plasters, mud and stones.[3] The harem is divided into two sections; an upper section built by the Sultan Hussein, and the lower section which is a prayer room for women. The mosque as a whole has an area size of 2,000 square metres (22,000 sq ft) and can accommodate up to 300 worshipers.

The mosque has a historic madrasa which once used to be the biggest educational institution in the town. The madrasa used to teach religious related materials, including Fiqh and the Arabic language. It was refurbished by the Sultan Hussein. It has a mosque in the south with an arches and dome, and library which stores works related to Fiqh.[4]

See also

• Islam in Iraq
• List of mosques in Iraq

References

1. ""ذو الكفل" يجمع المسلمين والمسيحيين واليهود في العمادية العراقية". Kitabat (in Arabic). Retrieved January 11, 2018.
2. "العمادية مدينة الألف منزل.. سكانها يغادرون". Niqash (in Arabic). Retrieved January 11, 2018.
3. "هذا الصباح"-مدينة العمادية شمال العراق". Al Jazeera (in Arabic). Retrieved January 11, 2018.
4. دليل الجوامع والمساجد التراثية والأثرية (in Arabic). p. 292.