Al-Hadi Mosque, 9th-century mosque in Saada, Yemen
Al-Hadi Mosque is a 9th-century Islamic structure in Saada featuring two minarets, with the main tower standing approximately 52 meters high and containing thirteen entrance doors around its perimeter. The building includes an open courtyard, four surrounding corridors, and a qibla prayer hall serving as the primary worship area.
The structure was built around 897 CE and was the third religious building in Yemen to incorporate an adjacent minaret. This development followed the architectural patterns of its era and influenced subsequent construction styles in the region.
This mosque serves as a major center for Zaidi Islamic practice and learning across the region. The interior displays inscribed wooden elements that reflect the religious and scholarly traditions important to local communities.
The site features multiple connected sections accessible through several entrances, making it relatively straightforward to navigate. Taking time to explore both the open courtyard and the various passages helps visitors understand the full extent of the complex.
The complex houses ancient tombstones featuring geometric patterns and calligraphy that record centuries of Yemeni artistic development. These inscriptions preserve the stories of families and craftspeople whose contributions might otherwise have been lost to time.
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