“Al-Mina”  Mosque… a unique architectural landmark in Lattakia  

“Al-Marfaa”  Mosque, known in Latakia as  “Al-Mina” Mosque, is distinguished  by its unique architectural design in the world, in addition to its  special  location on the Phoenician port, which gave it a special archaeological value  in the heart of the people of Lattakia. 

The mosque attrrcts the beholders by its ancient gold-colored stones, whose construction dates back to nearly three hundred years, and its gate which gave it uniqueness, as it is the only mosque in the Islamic world whose door is within the base of its minaret and the only one in Lattakia governorate that is located on the second floor. 

“The construction of the mosque dates back to the year 1161 AH, 1748 AD. It was built by Hammouda bin Ibrahim, a Tunisian ship captain who was able to accumulate a fortune from his work at sea, moving between the ports of the Mediterranean”, Director of Lattakia Antiquities Ibrahim Kher Beik  told SANA .  

He  pointed to the importance of the historical area in which the mosque is located as it was built on the ruins of buildings dating back to the Phoenician period and then the Crusader one and on the fortifications that date back to the medieval periods . 

The image of the mosque was printed on a postage stamp as part of a collection of stamps issued as the most important historical and archaeological landmarks in Syria.  

In turn, Director of the Lattakia Endowment, Dr. Mahmoud Aliyu said: “the mosque is the gateway for travelers coming to Latakia Governorate by sea, as it overlooks the waterfront on the Phoenician port, and it is still a popular destination for worshipers to this day.”  

He pointed out that  “despite the damage caused to the mosque by the earthquake of February 6, 2023, it is still a destination for worshipers to practice their religious rituals.” 

Rawaa  Ghanam