Al-Omari Mosque, 8th-century mosque in Daraa, Syria.
Al-Omari Mosque is an 8th-century structure built with stone arcades flanking its eastern and western sides, enclosing a central courtyard with a double arcade passage that leads to the prayer hall. The courtyard opens into a large prayer chamber supported by sturdy stone columns and pillars.
Construction began under Caliph Umar during the Muslim conquest of Syria in 636 and was completed under Caliph Yazid II in the early 8th century. This building project reflected the rapid spread of Islamic architecture during the region's transformation.
The mosque has served as a meeting place for the community and a space for passing down Islamic knowledge to younger generations across centuries. It remains woven into the daily religious and social life of those who visit.
The central courtyard provides a shaded gathering space where visitors can rest and take shelter from the heat while observing the architectural details around them. This open area allows you to experience the full layout of the building and pause between different sections.
The square minaret displays early Umayyad architectural features and served as a model for similar structures built across the region in later centuries. Its distinctive proportions distinguish it from tower designs that came afterward.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.