Idlib authorities begin restoration of historic mosque
The government affiliated with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Syria’s Idlib is restoring the historic Great Mosque, which was severely damaged by Syrian government shelling.
The Ministry of Awqaf (Endowments) affiliated with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s Syrian Salvation Government has embarked on the restoration of the Great Mosque of Idlib, damaged by Syrian government shelling during the decade-long war. Cracks and holes in the walls have led to their partial collapse.
The work is being done under the supervision of the Directorate of Antiquities and Museums (affiliated with the Salvation government) and the Idlib Antiquities Center.
The Great Mosque is one of the more prominent religious monuments in Syria. It dates to the Mamluk era from 658 hijri (1259-1260) to 922 hijri (1516), during which many congregational mosques were built; these were characterized by domes, corridors and ventilation holes.
The mosque, which extends over an area of 1,030 square meters (11,000 square feet), has been renovated several times, including in 1591 under Ottoman Grand Vizier Muhammad Pasha al-Koberli; another renovation took place in 1985.
