Jamea al-Sousse: History, Architecture & Spiritual Heritage of Tunisia’s Oldest Mosque
The Great Mosque of Sousse – A Timeless Symbol of Islamic Heritage in Tunisia
Introduction
Jamea Sousse, Tunisia na Dariya kinara na Shehar Sousse ma aawi che. Aa Masjid Tunisia ni pehli ane sabzi Oldest Masjid ma si ek che. Aa Masjid Aghlabid Architecture ni ek nishaani che. Aa Masjid ni tameer 851CE ma karva ma aavi hati.
Aa Masjid ne Fatemi Imam as na daur ma Fatemi Imam as na Ahad (Waqf) ma leva ma aavi hati ye vaste aa masjid ne Fatemi Jamea ma si ek kehva ma aave che.
๐ฐ️ Historical Background
800CE ma Abbasi Khalifa Harun Al Rashid ye Ibrahim ibn Al Aghlab ne Ifriqiya (Modern Tunisia) na Governor banavi ne mkla ane yaha si Aghlabid Dynasty ni shuruwaat thai.
Aghlabid ruler Abu al-‘Abbas Muhammad al-Aghlabi ye ek Shaandar masjid ni tameer kidi and ehnu naam Masjid e Sousse aapu. Aa Masjid ni tameer 851CE ma thai. Aa Masjid na kaam ni nigrani Mudam al-Khadim, ye kidi che.
_(7996059202).jpg "Stairs to the Roof of Jamea al-Sousse with the Kufic inscription band visible along the top of the wall")
๐️ Architectural Brilliance
Fortified Design
Aa Masjid ni design ma Military character nazar aave che. Aa Masjid ni Walls Crenellated che, Puru structure Stone si banava ma aaya che ane Corner Minaar ehne koi Fortress (Qilla) ni misaal nu look aape che.
Courtyard (Sahn)
Aa Masjid nu sehen 41 x 22 meters nu che ane ehna aas paas Arcades bana huva che jema Kufi Khatt ma Quran ni ayaat likhva ma aavi che. 11th Century ma Sehen ma Shade karva ma aayu hatu taaqe zyada loko tamakun si Namaz ma shamil thai sake.
Prayer Hall
Masjid ma 13 Naves banava huva che jene HorseShoe Arches si alag karva ma aaya che. Aa masjid ni Ceiling wood ni jagah Rubble Stone si banava ma aavi che.
.jpg "Arches of Jamea al-Sousse")
Aa Masjid na vacche, Mihrab na samne ek Qumbat (Dome) bhi aaya che jema Shamm ni architecture nazar aave che. Aa Dome na andar Kufi Khatt ma Quran ni aaya likhva ma aavi che je Fatemi Craftmanship ni Nishaani ma si ek che.
Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin r.a ni Visit
Restoration and Preservation
Over the centuries, the mosque underwent multiple restorations:
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9th century: Original construction and early expansion.
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11th century (Zirid dynasty): Portico addition and mihrab restoration.
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1785: Major southern portico renovation.
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1988: Inclusion in UNESCO World Heritage, ensuring protection and global recognition.
Interesting Facts
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๐ The Great Mosque of Sousse resembles a fortress, with no traditional minaret. Instead, the muezzin used a domed tower pavilion (sawma’a) to call to prayer.
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๐ It’s one of the oldest surviving mosques in its original form in North Africa.
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๐ The Kufic inscriptions in the courtyard walls are among the earliest examples of Qur’anic calligraphy in stone.
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⚒️ The dome before the mihrab is one of the few remaining examples from the Umayyad and Abbasid eras, similar to Al-Aqsa and the Umayyad Mosque.
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๐ชถ The mosque’s stone vault ceilings are rare in early Islamic architecture a feature that inspired later Maghrebi Mosque designs.
Disclaimer
This blog has been written based on the author’s thorough research and verified quotes available from reliable online sources. It is intended solely for educational and informative purposes. The content is respectful, harmless, and not meant to offend, harm, or mislead anyone.
