Al-Husseini Grand Mosque | Amman

Information

Landmark: Al-Husseini Grand Mosque
City: Amman
Country: Jordan
Continent: Asia

Al-Husseini Grand Mosque, Amman, Jordan, Asia

The Al-Husseini Grand Mosque is a prominent Islamic place of worship located in the heart of the Al-Balad district in Amman, Jordan. It stands on the site of an earlier 7th-century structure, marking the center of the city’s traditional commercial hub.

Visual Characteristics

The mosque is constructed from pink and white stone in a traditional Ottoman architectural style. It features two distinct minarets of differing heights; the right minaret is 70 meters tall, while the left is 35 meters. The central courtyard is paved in polished stone, surrounded by arched porticos and a prayer hall containing a large central dome and wooden minbar.

Location & Access Logistics

The site is situated on King Talal Street in the Downtown (Al-Balad) area. It is approximately 1 kilometer west of the Amman Roman Theater. Public transport via yellow taxis or white "service" jitneys is the primary access method due to the lack of dedicated parking and high traffic density. The nearest major transport hub is the Raghadan Bus Station.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The current structure was commissioned by King Abdullah I in 1924, built atop the ruins of a mosque originally constructed during the Umayyad Caliphate in 640 AD. The reconstruction utilized the foundational footprint of the ancient site to preserve the historic spiritual center of the city.

Key Highlights & Activities

Non-Muslim visitors are permitted to view the exterior and the courtyard outside of prayer times. The mosque serves as the primary gathering point for Friday prayers, during which the surrounding streets are closed to vehicles. Observing the stone masonry and the transition between Ottoman and older Umayyad structural elements is a primary architectural activity.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Public restrooms and ablution facilities are located within the mosque complex. The area provides 5G cellular coverage. There is no central air conditioning in the courtyard, and shade is limited to the peripheral arches. Dozens of street food vendors and traditional markets (souqs) are located immediately adjacent to the mosque gates.

Best Time to Visit

The best lighting for photographing the stone facade is during the early morning hours before the narrow streets become shadowed. The most comfortable months for visiting are March through May and September through November. Avoid visiting during prayer times, specifically the Friday midday sermon, unless participating in worship.

Facts & Legends

The mosque is named after Sharif Hussein bin Ali, the leader of the Great Arab Revolt. A local historical oddity is that the 1924 construction intentionally integrated several vaulted ceilings and pillars from the original 7th-century Umayyad mosque, which were discovered during the excavation of the site.