Brief History:

The Al-Sarai Mosque, or the Great Mosque of Sarai, is an important Shiite pilgrimage site located in the Nineveh Governorate of Iraq. It was built in the eleventh century by the Islamic Buyid Dynasty, and was named after the holy site of Sarai bin Hassan (commonly known as the Maqam of Sarai) that lies within its walls. It has long been a special place of prayer and pilgrimage for Shiites, and it was reportedly visited in 710 CE by the Shia Imam Jafar al-Sadiq. The building was almost destroyed by ISIS in 2014, but has since been repaired and restored. It is one of the most famous mosque in Iraq which you must visit.

Architecture:

The Al-Sarai Mosque in Iraq was built in 1260 A.D. It is one of the most important mosques in the country and the largest in historical Baghdad. It is located in the old quarter of the Al-Sarai district, within the municipality of Al-Askari, south of the Grand Mosque of Al-Kufa. The mosque has a square ground plan and is surrounded by a high wall. It is entered through an impressive stone arch on the northern side, which is decorated with complex geometric designs. Inside, the mosque is divided into four iwans (corridors) with a square central courtyard. The prayer hall is located on the eastern side and is divided into five aisles. On the northern and southern sides of the courtyard, there are two minarets with slightly curved flowers, which are intricately decorated with geometric patterns. Other ruins inside the mosque compound include two madrasas (schools), a theological college, and a library. The roofs of the mosque are supported by the typical Muslim combined lintel and voussoir system of arches. The walls are decorated with geometric mosaics and stucco carvings. The walls are also inscribed with verses from the Holy Quran. Overall, the mosque is designed with the typical Islamic architectural style, featuring highly decorated surfaces and elaborate geometric designs. This is why, it is considered one of the most beautiful mosque in the world.

Visiting Hours:

The Al-Sarai Mosque in Iraq is open to visitors every day from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. The mosque is located in Baghdad and is one ofthe oldest and most important places of worship in the country. best mosque in the world.

Travel Information:

Al-Sarai Mosque is located in Al-Sarai village, in the Al-Qadisiyah Governate of Iraq, just outside of the city of Kufa. The mosque is a 10th-century Shia Muslim shrine, and is said to be built on the site of a now-forgotten grave of a male companion of the Prophet Muhammad. The mosque is open for visitors from Sunday to Thursday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Although the mosque itself is free to enter, visitors need to purchase a special entry ticket from the Kufa Information Visitors Center prior to arriving at the Mosque. The mosque is easily accessible by car. When visiting from Baghdad, take the Al-Kerachi Highway in a south-westerly direction, which will eventually merge with Highway 6. Continue on this highway until you reach Kufa, and then follow the signs to Al-Sarai. The journey should take around 1.5 hours. Alternatively, Al-Sarai is served by several public buses from Kufa. The journey should take around 20 minutes, with buses running throughout the day. Visitors to Al-Sarai Mosque should take time to explore the nearby sites, such as the historic tombs of the Shiite Caliphs, the Ulema Mosque and the Imam Ali Shrine. beautiful masjid.