Abd_al-Wahid_Mosque
Abd al-Wahid Mosque
Mosque in Tripoli, Lebanon
The Abd al-Wahid Mosque is a mosque and one of the remains of Mamluk architecture in Tripoli, Lebanon. It was built in AH 705 (1305/1306) by Abd al-Wahid al-Miknasi according to the founding inscription.[1] Stories tell that the Muslim Abd al-Wahid al-Miknasi from Meknes was visiting Tripoli after its Muslim conquest from the crusaders. He stayed at the khan of a Christian who didn't treat him well. The wealthy Abd al-Wahid offered to buy the khan and after its acquisition transformed it into a mosque.[2] The stories of a transformation of a khan into a mosque can be supported by material evidence: That the mihrab is located at an angle to the qibla suggests that an older wall was reused.[3]
The mosque has two domes, one over the mihrab and one over a tomb chamber, the latter being ribbed.[4] It has a small and simple minaret with an octagonal shaft. On its top eight windows open to each of its eight sides of which three have been closed. It is covered by a small dome.[5]
- Interior of the mosque