Picture by Libyan Photographer Hiba Shalabi

Al-Naqah Mosque is the oldest mosque in Tripoli and one of the oldest mosques. It was built before the construction of the Great Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo. The Great Mosque of Al-Naqa is located in a narrow alley near Fnideqah Square, southeast of the old city of Tripoli. It is located close to Al Ghadamsi Hotel and Ahmed Pasha Al Karamanli Mosque. The total area of ​​the mosque is 900 square meters.

The Mosque was built during the Fatimid Caliphate of Al-Mu’izz Al-Din Allah Al-Fatimi when traveling from Tripoli to Cairo after the mid-10th century AD. Al-Naqah Mosque is claimed to be the oldest mosque in Tripoli. Its name was Al-Ashra Mosque and its construction dates back to the early period of Islam and was before the Fatimid period.

Photo by Hiba Shalabi

The Naqah Mosque is square and not large, its courtyard area is equal to the area of ​​the prayer hall. The mosque contains three valleys. Its main door opens directly to the prayer room, and the third is independent.

The mosque’s courtyard has a peculiar position so that it is located next to the mosque. It is one of the main factors in ancient mosques. In addition, the courtyard is surrounded by different columns and has an area of ​​282 square meters. The eastern part of the courtyard consists of two disks that were destroyed in World War II. Finally, it is important to note that the prayer room in the mosque is built on 35 columns that are not homogeneous in shape, size, and color.

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