What Is the Oldest Mosque in Farasan Island?

Al-Najdi Mosque is one of the oldest mosques on Farasan Island. It is located in Al-Solb Neighborhood in the center of the island in Jazan Province, southwest of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It was inaugurated in 1927, and its construction took approximately thirteen years, as work began in 1916. It was built by Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Tamimi, nicknamed Al-Najdi, who came from Hawtat Bani Tamim to Farasan Island during the Idrisid Emirate. He worked in the pearl trade and was one of the most famous merchants in the region at the time. He then traveled to India and was influenced by Eastern civilization. On his return, he brought the materials used in building the mosque, including paints, engravings, and paintings. He then hired builders from Yemen to build the mosque and the adjacent house, where he and his family lived.

His son Yahya took over the care of the mosque after him, and prayers continue to be held in the mosque to this day. Several renovations were carried out to the mosque, the last of which was in 2017. The mosque was listed in Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques.