Damascus, Jan 2 (SANA) – The Great Umayyad Mosque of Damascus, one of the oldest and most important religious monuments in the Islamic world, embodies within its walls centuries of history, faith, and coexistence among civilizations that shaped the destiny of the Syrian capital.
The site now occupied by the mosque was originally a Roman temple dedicated to Jupiter, built during the Roman Empire. With the spread of Christianity, the place was transformed into a church dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, a figure revered by both Christians and Muslims.
After the arrival of Islam in Syria in the 7th century, Umayyad Caliph Al-Walid bin Abd al-Malik ordered its conversion into a mosque, preserving architectural and symbolic elements from the earlier stages.
Great Umayyad Mosque became one of the earliest and most significant examples of Islamic architecture, influencing the design of later mosques throughout the Muslim world.
Its spacious courtyards, minarets, and mosaics reflect a cultural synthesis that integrates Roman, Byzantine and Islamic heritage.
One of the most remarkable features of the mosque is that it houses the shrine containing the tomb of John the Baptist, known in Islam as the Prophet Yahya. This fact makes the mosque an exceptional symbol of religious coexistence, where respect and veneration from different monotheistic traditions have coincided for centuries.
Within the mosque complex is also the mausoleum of Sultan Salah ad-Din al-Ayyubi, known in the West as Saladin, the liberator of Jerusalem and one of the most emblematic figures in Islamic history. His tomb, located in the vicinity of the complex, is visited by believers and scholars as a symbol of resistance, dignity and unity in the face of the Crusader invasions.
Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, the Great Umayyad Mosque has been visited by numerous personalities and international leaders.
Today, the mosque continues to be an active center of worship, tourism and historical memory. Restoration efforts have preserved its heritage value, reaffirming its role as the spiritual heart of Damascus.
The Great Umayyad Mosque is not only a religious building but also a living testimony to Syria’s historical continuity. Its transformation over the centuries and its ability to bring together symbols of Christianity and Islam make it an emblem of coexistence, cultural resilience and dialogue among civilizations in a region marked by profound historical transformations.
MZN
