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Al-A'la Mosque

A Witness to Religious Architecture in Abu Arish

Jazan

Al-A'la Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Abu Arish Governorate. Built in the eleventh century AH, the mosque had prayers held in it until a recent time. It is characterized by its rectangular building and its three domes, and it remains standing despite the long-sustained cracks.

Al-A'la Mosque, one of the oldest mosques still standing in the governorate, represents a prominent landmark in the archaeological urban landscape of Abu Arish Governorate. Although it has cracks, it never fails to show its urban and historical value.

This mosque is located in the upper part of the old city, particularly in its eastern district. Its architecture is believed to date back to the 11th century AH / 17th century AD. Up until recently, prayers used to be held in it, then people moved to pray in a modern mosque established nearby.

Al-A'la Mosque consists of a rectangular building topped by three domes. The mosque's structure has a symmetrical architectural feature, with the largest dome in the centre and two smaller domes on either side. The mosque's minaret is located on its southern side.

Due to the passage of time and the impact of natural erosion on parts of the mosque, the western dome collapsed, while the middle and eastern domes remained. The minaret also collapsed long ago, but its location remains clear through climbing stairs to it and to the roof of the mosque, so that the mosque remains an authentic part of the urban heritage features of the governorate.