The Great Mosque of Raqqa

The Great Mosque of Raqqa
Built in the Abbasid architectural style, the Great Mosque of Raqqa was constructed concurrently with the founding of al-Rāfiqah. It measured 100 by 90 meters and featured a courtyard and arcades built of brick covered with plaster. During the Ayyubid period, a square minaret was added along with reused basalt capitals taken from older structures.

The mosque’s outer walls were initially constructed from mudbrick. Later, Caliph Harun al-Rashid added brick sections during a restoration project, as part of his grand plan to expand al-Rāfiqah northeastward. This expansion connected the old city’s parts and established the new city as his permanent residence in 180 AH / 796 CE.

The outer walls of the mosque were initially built from mud bricks, which were later supplemented by Caliph Harun al-Rashid with brick sections during his restoration of the mosque. He undertook a significant project to expand the city of Rafiqa northeastward to incorporate all parts of the old city and connect them, establishing the new city as his permanent residence in 180 AH / 796 AD.

The mosque suffered severe damage during the 2017 battles, especially to its arcades and roof. A temporary roof was later built over the courtyard, while the arcades still await reconstruction. The “Reviving al-Mansur Mosque” program is currently undertaking the restoration of the minaret using original stone and aims to reopen the courtyard to worshippers.