Al-Ma'amar Mosque is one of the historical landmarks in Jeddah City, Makkah al-Mukarramah Province, west of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is the second historical mosque in Jeddah al-Balad, according to the historical mosques map, following al-Shafi'i Mosque. It was named "al-Ma'amar" after its builder, Governor Mustafa Ma'amar Pasha, in 1847, and was renovated in 1867.
Location of al-Ma'amar Mosque
The mosque is situated in al-Balad Neighborhood, specifically on al-Alawi Street to the west, in the Harat (alley) or Mahalat (district) al-Mazloom, near Barahat (square) Nasif, at the entrance to the road leading to al-Alawi Market. This market separates Harat al-Mazloom from Harat al-Yaman.
Design of al-Ma'amar Mosque
Al-Ma'amar Mosque is one of the larger mosques in the area, elevated significantly above street level. Due to its architectural design, it can be accessed via two routes depending on the direction worshipers come from: those coming from the eastern side must ascend stairs, while those arriving from the northern side can directly reach its entrance.
The mosque’s lanterns and wooden ceilings resemble the old design of the Prophet’s Mosque in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah.
Its interior walls are adorned with a long belt inscribed with Quranic verses, and it features a green wooden dome along with a wooden Mukabbaria that has remained intact due to the quality of the wood used.
The wooden Mukabbaria was traditionally used for the Adhan (call to prayer), where the Muezzin would repeat the prayer calls after the Imam, following the custom practiced in the Two Holy Mosques.
Renovation of al-Ma'amar Mosque
The historic al-Ma'amar Mosque in Jeddah underwent restoration and refurbishment funded by the King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Endowment for His Parents, through King Abdullah Humanitarian Foundation. The Heritage Foundation also contributed to the restoration efforts as part of the National Program for the Care of Historic Mosques, ensuring that the mosque's original foundation remained untouched. After the renovation and restoration work was completed, the mosque reopened on May 15, 2018.
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