The historic Umayyad Mosque in the Syrian city of Aleppo has reopened after restoration. Citing the SANA news agency, Barta24 reported that it was reopened on 8 October at a ceremony attended by ministers, officials and religious figures.
Aleppo governor Azzam al-Gharib said the mosque has been an inseparable part of the city's history since the Umayyad era, and that after a long period of hardship and destruction the city was getting its great mosque back. The restoration kept the building's historic features and facilities intact, so that the call to prayer can echo in it again, he said.
Syria's Grand Mufti Sheikh Osama al-Rifai said Aleppo holds a special place in Muslim hearts for its history and culture, and that the mosque has regained its splendour and will open a new chapter of worship and learning.
Religious affairs minister Mohammad Abu al-Khair Shukri likened the Umayyad Mosque of Aleppo to the Umayyad Mosque of Damascus. Aleppo's mufti Ibrahim Shasho said reopening the mosque breathes life back into the historic building and will keep its legacy alive for future generations.
The Umayyad Mosque is one of Aleppo's main religious and cultural landmarks and has played a part in the city's scholarly and cultural life for centuries.
Reported by Barta24's Islam desk.
Photo: Xvlun / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.5)
Source: Barta24
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