ADEN MOSQUES

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Aden mosques generally followed the design of the Holy Mosque in Medina, whose construction included a central dome internally surrounded by four "sun-shades". The main one of these so-called "shades" is the one for the positive prayer-heading.

 

Aidrous Mosque

Situated in Crater district, the Al-Aidrous Mosque, with its dome closely attached to its northern wall, is attributed to Abubakr bin Abdulla Al-Aiderous, who came to Aden around the year 1485 A.D. (980 Hijria). He died and was buried under the dome structure on Tuesday 14th Shawal, 914 Hijria (1508 A.D.) as is engraved in "Al-Sankhi" hand writings of the wooden enclosuring-box. He left behind a number of books of poetry and novels such as the "Diwan of Al-Masalek pilgrimage"

 

Borah Mosque in Borah Bazaar, Crater. 

The word borah or bohora is a Gujerati word meaning 'trader'. This was the occupation of the majority of the first Hindu converts to Islam in India.  Thus it was not to be unexpected that Borah Bazaar was full of Indian traders and that there would be a local mosque for them. The Borahs who went to Aden were mostly Shi'i Muslims who had been traders and money-lenders in India. The Borah Mosque was also known as Al Khoja Mosque.

 

Manara Mosque

There is nothing left of this mosque today except the minaret which stood next to it. Later the Court & Treasury buildings were built next to it.  Views differ on the builder of the mosque and its minaret. Some say the huge mosque was built at great cost by a woman of the Bani-Ghassan between AD 1397- 1597.

 

Nevertheless, it is generally agreed in some history books that the minaret once formed part of this important mosque in Aden.  Portuguese invasion pictures of Aden show that the minaret was part of the mosque. This minaret once used for calling the faithful to prayer is situated opposite the basketball stadium at the far end of a small park adjacent to Crater's Post Office.  It has a zig-zag staircase made of 86 steps that lead to the level where the muezzin stood for azan, five times each day.

 

Some recent scholars expressed their thoughts that the surrounding base was not built till after the 1940's. However, the greyscale photo lower down in this page was taken c. 1935 and it clearly shows the base. There was concern that the minaret was liable to fall so no one was able till then to ascend it on foot. Local research affirms the possibility that the foundation of the basement structure is related to the era before the birth of Islam. Many of the findings affirmed that this minaret is the only remnant of the "Big Mosque" that had once been erected in the location, but was demolished due to its age, and other natural occurrences which affected it.

 

It might be that the Mosque's wings and halls once stretched from the front of, what is now, the Board of Commerce building, right up to the newly built basketball stadium or Al-Hubaishi football ground. During the 1960's during some civil-works diggings, four arched-pillars of an Islamic decorated pattern were found in the  location of the football stadium. This indicates that the demolished "Big Mosque" was located very close to the space occupied now by Al-Hubaishi Stadium. The minaret has a slight tilt and is sometimes known as the Pisa of Aden.

 

It was mentioned in Islamic resources that the first generation of Yemeni Muslim believers used to bury their dead around the area of constructed mosques. Three tombs were clearly visible in a Portuguese drawing of Aden made in the year 512. The Mosque and the minaret were also shown in these early drawings. Thus, with the preceding evidence, it is possible to say that the Manarah Mosque had been occupying a large area extending to the new basket-ball ground and ending in the building of the Board of Commerce. Upon this assumption, it could be considered at that time one of the largest mosques built in the district of Crater.

 

Many researchers state the builder of the Manarah Mosque was the Ummayah Ruler/Caliph Omar ibn Abdul Aziz, while one scholar called Ibn Al-Magawer pointed that its construction was attributed to the Persians who were living in Aden. What is known for sure is that most history books agree that this mosque relates to the city of Aden, and its full name is "Aden Jame-Al-Manarah".

 

Many Yemeni historians agree that Prince Hussain bin Salamah, who died in the Year 426 Hijria, renovated the Manarah Mosque. It was then known either as Hussain Masjid or Salamah Masjid. The Prince ordered the addition of two west wings for the Mosque . As for the minaret that is left standing today, it has gone through several repairs, one of which was conducted in 1950. This is noted on a plaque at the base. Later, during the expansion of Al-Hubaishi football ground facing the minaret, some old walls were discovered. These were thought to be either the foundations or some remaining sectors of the former Mosque's wings.

 

To add perhaps further confusion to the foregoing, Abul Feda states that a large jami' masjid (mosque) was built some time before AD 718 by Omar bin Abdul Aziz, the 8th Caliph of the Bani Amaya. This mosque was built on the Crater foreshore where the regimental barracks later stood, and was repaired and enlarged by Abu Abdalla al Hussain ba Salâma a former Nubian slave who rose to become ruler of Yemen. This mosque was clearly quite a separate entity yet it's relatively close proximity might be the reason for Omar bin Abdul Aziz being credited as builder of the Al-Manara Mosque.

 

The Aden Mosque  or Aban Mosque

One of the oldest mosques situated in Crater district. Even though the present structure has no minaret, it is distinguished from the other mosques by two factors: the first is the design and beauty of its decorative patterns on doors, windows and pillars. The second that its name is related to the first generation of the religious judge and Muslim scholar named Aban bin Othman bin Al-Hakam bin Othman bin Affan - the grand son of the third Khalifah (ruler) after the birth of Islam. This mosque was rebuilt many times, and in 1996 it was completely demolished and reconstructed in the same location Sadly this resulted in the loss of its historical characteristics as the mosque was characterized by beautiful ornamentation.

 

Alasqalani Mosque
It is located on Alasqalani Street and was famous for having a number of great religious scholars. The mosque was demolished and rebuilt in the 1960s.

 

Other old mosques

Among other old mosques in Aden are Aliraq’ Mosque, Alnoor Mosque both built in 1959, Alrahman Mosque built in 1963, and the Alrida Mosque built in 1967.

 

Alhashimi Mosque
The Alhashimi mosque was located on Alhashimi Street in the Sheik Othman district and is ascribed to Hashm Bahar. It was demolished by Islamic extremists in 1997. Three pillars forming an oblong shape built in the year 1960 were ornamented in the front side of the mosque. The construction of a replacement mosque is currently taking place (2005)