JORDAN: King Abdullah I Mosque

Completed in 1989 as a memorial by the late King Hussein to his grandfather, the King Abdullah I Mosque is a great example of modern Islamic architecture. It blends traditional Arab design with geometric architecture and Arab calligraphy. It is located in the city of Amman (the capital of Jordan) and next to the Jordanian Parliament and welcomes visitors.

The Arabic word for mosque means “place of prostration” which in simple terms is the placement of the body in a reverential position. Muslims pray five times each day by kneeling to face Mecca. They bow and bend until their head touches the floor. The first mosque was the Prophet Muhammad's home in Medina, Saudi Arabia, in the 7th century. The simplest mosque would be a prayer room with a wall marked with a mihrab or niche indicating the direction of Mecca. A typical mosque also includes a minaret, a dome and a place to wash before prayers. Each feature has its own significance.

The blue-domed mosque can accommodate 3,000 Muslim worshipers and several thousand more in the outside courtyard.

The dome is patterned in light blue and all the entrances to the Mosque have intricate calligraphy.

Women were required to cover their hair and heads at the entrance of the mosque and abeyyas (black, full-length outer clothing) were available to borrow so only our hands and feet would show. We were eager to comply so we could go inside this famous mosque which has such an interesting story.

In July of 1951, King Abdullah I of Jordan and his grandson, Prince Hussein, were in a mosque in Jerusalem for their Friday prayers. Assassins opened fire on them and King Abdullah was shot three times in the head and chest and died instantly. His grandson (Prince Hussein) was also hit but a medal which his grandfather had pinned to his chest earlier deflected the bullet and saved his life. Those involved in the assassination were all executed but the mastermind was sent to prison. As an act of goodwill, the grandson (the late King Hussein) granted a pardon 16 years later to the imprisoned mastermind and then built the Mosque in Amman as a tribute to his grandfather who had died at his side. Knowing the story behind this mosque made our visit even more meaningful.

The mosque is capped by a magnificent blue mosaic dome 115' in diameter. (Sorry, the photo below of the dome isn't the best.)

Photo: This is a better photo taken from the web. The ceiling was really beautiful. The prayer hall was octagonal and we were required to remove our shoes. We were pleasantly surprised that both genders were allowed to walk in together. We were free to walk around and take photos as long as we were quiet and respectful. I doubt I've ever walked on a more plush carpet!

Whenever I visit any structure of worship, I take a few moments and quietly express gratefulness for the opportunity to visit holy places. This is a very holy place for Muslims and each of us felt privileged to be there. What a lovely tribute from King Hussein to his grandfather, King Abdullah I. I am standing in front of the mihrab or niche which faces the direction of Mecca.

The walls were beautifully decorated and Muslims read the Quran. Muslims believe the Quran was revealed to Muhammad by God through the angel, Gabriel, over a period of approximately 23 years when Muhammad was age 40 and concluded in 632, the year of his death. Muslims regard the Quran as the most important miracle of Muhammad and proof that he was a prophet and is also a culmination of messages that started with those revealed to Adam and ended with Muhammad.

I took a photo of one of the books that was open. The writing was beautiful and I am not sure if this was a page from the Quran or not. The Islamic Museum inside the mosque houses a small collection of photographs and personal effects of King Abdullah I.

Photo: I am not sure what this is called but it was huge in comparison to the size of an adult. Notice the niche to the left which indicates the direction of Mecca.

Muslims pray five times each day and some have calloused marks on their forehead from praying so much during their lifetime. We left the mosque and the women returned their borrowed abeyyas in the back of the gift shop located below the mosque.

Photo: Janna Coombs in the gift shop.

Photo: Inside the gift shop.

We left the mosque and headed to the Jordan Museum.

(To be continued)