Mosque of Omar - Jerusalem
History
The Mosque of Omar in Jerusalem is located on the opposite side of the southern courtyard of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The mosque is named after the second Muslim caliph, Omar ibn al-Khattab. When Omar came to Jerusalem in 637, he was shown the great Church of the Holy Sepulchre and offered a place to pray in it, but he refused. He decided to pray on the steps outside, allowing the church to remain a Christian holy place.
The current mosque is from 1193, built by Al-Afdal ibn Salah ad-Din (Saladin). In design, it is similar to the mosque of al-Khanqah of Saladin. Later, this mosque was renovated by Ottoman sultan Abdulmecid I in the 19th century. The mosque has a beautiful entrance door which lead to a small courtyard.
The interior of the mosque is very simple and a mehrab is built in the wall. Bricks used in the mehrab has same colour and a chandelier hangs from the ceiling. A poster inside the mosque shows how to follow correct postures during prayer.
