TAIF — The historical Suleiman Mosque is located in eastern Taif governorate in the Makkah region, and is considered to be one of the most prominent mosques in the region that dates back 300 years ago.

The mosque is part of Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman Project for Renovation of Historical Mosques in the Kingdom. The congressional prayers in the mosque resumed last Rajab.

According to Abdullah bin Mohammad Al-Zubaidi, the imam of the mosque, the historical importance of the mosque is attributed to having several narratives that say that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) made his companions to stop at the mosque place while he returned from visiting his uncles of Bani Saad and told them that Prophet Suleiman Bin Dawood has camped in the place. The mosque was named Suleiman based on this narrative.

Sheikh Al-Zubaidi added that the mosque consists of a mihrab and entrance with two columns of rock in the center and can accommodate three lines (30 worshipers) and 15 others at the external yard. Next to the main building is the women's prayer area and four bathrooms, in addition to speakers, safety equipment and fire extinguishers, and AC devices, adding that it has been noticed recently that some tourist groups visit the place.

The mosque was a scholarly beacon for the residents of the area. It used to function as a school for students to learn the Holy Qu'ran. The mosque was renovated in 1372 AH by the residents of the area.

The mosque is located in Wadi Nakhb and is 1.5 kilometers away from the Hassan Bin Thabet Road connecting between Taif and Baha, and is characterized by a distinguished architectural pattern for being built with local construction items with the use of cut rocks that were made of clay, where its ceiling was made of tree trunks covered with palm leaves.

The total area of the mosque is 390 square meters and can accommodate 36 worshippers and is composed of the prayer area, room for the imam, a private section, in addition to a well, an entrance from the northern side, and a five-meter minaret.

Following the current renovation of the Suleiman Historical Mosque, it includes a prayer area, a prayer area for women, yard, bathrooms, places of ablution for men and women and now can accommodate 70 worshipers. — SG