Masjid Al Qiblatayn

Sawad ibn Ghanam ibn Ka'ab built the Masjid al-Qiblatayn, also spelled Masjid al-Qiblatain, in the year 2 AH (623 CE). In the world, this is one of the few mosques with two Mihrabs that face opposite directions.

Given that the Great Mosques of Mecca and Jerusalem are connected to earlier Prophets in Islamic theology, the Qiblatayn Mosque is one of the earliest mosques that may be traced back to the time of Muhammad. The mosque was formerly known as the 'Mosque of the Two Qiblas' because it had two Mihrabs (Prayer niches), one facing Mecca and the other towards Jerusalem. Muslims consider it to be the location where Muhammad, the last Prophet of Islam, was given the order to alter the Qibla (direction of prayer) from Jerusalem to Mecca.

During King Fahd's reign in 1987, the mosque was totally demolished and rebuilt. The Mihrab facing Mecca was left undisturbed throughout contemporary repairs, but the Mihrab facing Jerusalem was taken out and a small marker mihrab was put in its place. At that point, Muslims' direction during prayer underwent a permanent alteration. To represent the change from one Qibla to another, the little Mihrab is situated beneath a false dome that is connected to the first by a small cross-vault.

How to explore Masjid Al-Qiblatayn?

- The mosque's main prayer hall features stunning chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and a Mihrab that is fashioned to resemble a sizable prayer mat.

- To the west of the main building, the living quarters for the Imam, the Muezzin and the caretaker are arranged in one block.

- Barrel vaults that run parallel to the qibla wall are supported by a series of arches that make up the prayer hall facing north.

- You are reminded of the oldest surviving Mihrab of Islam by an imitation of the Mihrab facing Jerusalem found in the Dome of the Rock.

- A sub-basement level that serves as the worshippers' ablutions has been incorporated into the site by taking advantage of the difference in level at the southeast corner of the structure.

- A conscious attempt has been made to provide an authentic representation of the historic location by drawing inspiration from traditional features and themes in the architectural vocabulary.