Atiq Mosque (Siwa)
| Atiq Mosque | |
|---|---|
المسجد العتيق | |
 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Islam |
| Mosque and mausoleum | |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Shali, Siwa Oasis |
| Country | Egypt |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Mosque |
| Completed | 1106-1107 |
The Atiq Mosque (Arabic: المسجد العتيق, lit. 'old mosque') also known as the Sidi Suleiman Mosque, is a historical landmark and the oldest mosque in the Siwa oasis, Egypt. It is located atop the Shali Fortress in the city of Shali, which means city in the Siwi language.[1] It is the oldest mosque in Africa built with mud.[2][3]
History
[edit]Its construction dates between 1106 to 1107 and represents a significant part of Siwa's ancient history.[4][5] The mosque is distinguished by its traditional Siwan architectural style, having been built using local building materials such as kershif, a mixture of clay and salt, which was a common building material at the time.[6] The mosque underwent refurbishing in 2011,[7] as well as a major restoration project in 2015.[8]
Description
[edit]The mosque covers an area of approximately 100 square meters and has two entrances: the main entrance on the northeast side and another entrance on the southwest side.[9] Six massive, barrel-shaped pillars divide the mosque into three aisles parallel to the qibla wall. The mosque's roof is made of palm trunks.[10] The mihrab is simple, indicating the qibla using it's semi-circular niche design. It is devoid of any calligraphy or decorations. It is also covered with a layer of white plaster, and there is no projection in the qibla wall from the outside.[11] The mosque has a rectangular layout.[12]
The mosque is distinguished by its massive minaret, located in the northeast corner, resembling the style of minarets in Morocco and Andalusia.[13] Its unique shape features a base with a cubic shaft that tapers as one ascends. The minaret is situated at the northeast end.[14] The pulpit is constructed of stone covered using a coat of plaster in a simple design. It consists of three steps parallel to the qibla wall, ensuring that the rows of worshippers are not interrupted, similar to the Prophet's pulpit in Medina.[11] The mosque's windows are created from olive tree trunks.[15]
Gallery
[edit]
Picture of the mosque's entrance steps taken from a nearby old market
One of the mosque's entrances
The mosque's minaret
Another entrance to the mosque
Layout of the mosque with the minbar and mihrab present
Picture with a clear view of the mosque's wooden roof
Picture of the mosque taken from inside the Shali fortress
Picture with the King Fouad Mosque in the background
Panoramic picture of the mosque location in the Siwa Oasis
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References
[edit]- ↑ "قرية شالي بواحة سيوة". egymonuments.gov.eg.
- ↑ "The Minister of Tourism and Antiquities inaugurates Shali Fortress and the Aghurmi Mosque in the Siwa Oasis". egymonuments.gov.eg.
- ↑ "مبنية من الكرشيف وبها أقدم مسجد مبني بالطين بأفريقيا.. 6 معلومات عن قلعة "شالي" (صور)". Al-Masrawy. 7 November 2020.
- ↑ محمود, ايمن (4 December 2023). "المسجد العتيق بقلعة شالي بسيوة.. تاريخ يمتد لأكثر من ٩٤٥ عاما". El-Balad.
- ↑ مشالي, حسن (7 October 2023). "مدينة "شالى" جزء حى من التاريخ.. تقع فى قلب واحة سيوة.. بناها السيويون القدماء على تبة عالية قبل 800 سنة لحمايتهم من غارات الأعداء وقطاع الطرق.. ضربتها أمطار غزيرة عام 1926 فهجرها سكانها.. صور". Youm7.
- ↑ "Old Mosque of Shali Fortress". World Monuments Fund.
- ↑ محمود, ايمن (9 February 2022). "المسجد العتيق بسيوة تاريخ ممتد واذان وصلاة لا تنقطع لمدة ألف عام ..شاهد". El-Balad.
- ↑ "Minister: Opening of Shali Fortress to help transform Siwa into global tourism hub". sis.gov.eg.
- ↑ محمد, مهدي (15 October 2019). "بالصور- المسجد العتيق بسيوة.. 941 عاما من صلاة لم تنقطع أبدًا". Al-Masrawy.
- ↑ نفادى, احمد (5 November 2020). "رحلة قلعة شالي والمسجد العتيق من مواجهة الغزاة البربر إلى استقبال السياح والزائرين". Al-Ahram.
- 1 2 "عمرها 800 عام.. مساجد سيوة الأثرية تروي تاريخ الإسلام في أرض الواحة". Al-Ahram. 4 January 2025.
- ↑ الشوكي, علي (23 January 2021). "المسجد العتيق بسيوة.. 843 عامًا من التاريخ". Al-Masry Al-Youm.
- ↑ مشالي, حسن (6 December 2025). "الجامع العتيق ومسجد الشيخة حسينة درر أثرية تتلألأ في قلب واحة سيوة". Youm7.
- ↑ نفادى, احمد (7 July 2021). "سجلتها "الإيسيسكو" ضمن المعالم الأثرية.. تعرف على تاريخ سيوة القديم والمسجد العتيق بمطروح". Al-Ahram.
- ↑ الشوكي, علي (1 September 2023). "إطلاق فعاليات قافلة دعوية بمساجد سيوة". Al-Masry Al-Youm.
