Al-Majidiyyeh Mosque
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| Al-Majidiyyeh Mosque | |
|---|---|
جامع المجيدية | |
 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Islam |
| Location | |
| Location | Beirut, Lebanon |
  Shown within Beirut | |
| Geographic coordinates | 33°54′3.1″N 35°30′15.9″E / 33.900861°N 35.504417°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | mosque |
Al-Majidiyyeh Mosque (Arabic: جامع المجيدية) is a mosque located in Beirut, Lebanon.
Overview
Originally a fort, the building was converted into a mosque in the mid-19th century and named after Sultan Abdul Majid. Damaged during the Lebanese Civil War, the mosque was restored in 2004.
Construction
Originally a fort overlooking the harbor, Al-Majidiyyeh Mosque was later converted into an Ottoman army munitions magazine and a warehouse for wood merchants. In 1841, a group of Beirut citizens collected funds to restore it, adding a new building on its western side. Three years later, they converted it into a mosque. The mosque was enlarged in 1906. In 1974, the monument was entirely renovated. The mosque was severely damaged during the early years of the Civil War (1975-1990). Post-war restoration started in 2000 and was completed in 2004. It included the reinstatement of an entrance from Khan Antoun Bey Square and the addition of a new, taller minaret.
History
Al-Majidiyyeh Mosque was originally a fort overlooking the harbor, and formed an integral part of the city ramparts. Deserted, it then served as an Ottoman army munitions magazine and as a warehouse used by wood merchants. In 1841, a group of Beirut citizens collected funds to restore it, adding a new building on its western side. Three years later, they converted it into a mosque and named it ‘Al-Majidiyyeh,’ in honor of Sultan Abdul Majid. The mosque was enlarged in 1906 when pointed arches - fashionable in Beirut at the end of the 19th century – were added to its façade. In 1974, the monument was entirely renovated. Its location between Khan Antoun Bey and Souk Al-Tawileh made it very vulnerable and the mosque was severely damaged during the early years of the Civil War (1975-1990). Post-war restoration started in 2000 and was completed four years later. It included the reinstatement of an entrance from Khan Antoun Bey Square and the addition of a new, taller minaret.
Timeline
1841: A group of Beirut citizens collected funds to restore a fort overlooking the harbor by adding a new building on its western side.
1844: The fort was converted into a mosque and named ‘al-Majidiyyeh,’ in honor of Sultan Abdul Majid.
1906: The mosque was enlarged.
1974: Renovation of the entire mosque.
1975-1990: The mosque was severely damaged during the Civil War due to its location.
2000: Start of the post-war restoration of the mosque.
2004: Mosque completely restored.
See also
References
- Al-Wali, Sheikh Mohammad Taha (1973) Tarikh al-masajid wal jawami’ al-sharifa fi Bayrout, Dar al-Kotob, Beirut.
- Hallaq, Hassan (1987) Al-tarikh alijtima'i wa al-siyasi wa al-iqtisadi fi Bayrut, [Social, Political and Economic History of Beirut], Dar al-Jami'at, Beirut.
- Hallaq, Hassan (1987) Bayrut al-mahrousa fil'ahd al-'uthmâni, [Beirut during the Ottoman Period], Dar al-Jami’at, Beirut.
- Les lieux de culte au Liban. Ministère du Tourisme, Beyrouth.
