The Western Hanbali Mosque
The mosque, associated with the imams of the Hanbali school of thought, is commonly referred to as the "Western Mosque" due to its location in the western part of the Old City. Situated in the northwestern section of the Old City, specifically in the al-Gharb neighborhood, the mosque is bordered to the north by Al Khan Street near the western gate of Khan Al-Tujar, to the east by a secondary road connecting Al Khan Street with Al Nasr Street, and to the west and south by historic houses in the al-Gharb neighborhood.
Historically, the mosque's designation as the Western Mosque derives from its position in the western part of the Old City. After several imams from the Hanbali school led and supervised the mosque, it became known as the Hanbali Mosque, a tradition upheld by the Hanbali-Nabulsi family. The mosque overlooks key city markets, including Khan Al-Tujar and Al-Khan Street, and thus attracts many traders and shoppers from both the city's residents and visitors.
The mosque was originally established during the Mamluk period under Sultan Muhammad bin Qalawun (1309-1343 AD). It was reconstructed during the Ottoman period under Sultan Muhammad Rashad V in 1911 AD. Further restoration and expansion occurred in 2011 AD by the Ministry of Awqaf, which included adding several rooms and domes to the western side and removing the dam above the northern gallery. Evidence suggests that the mosque was built on a site with Roman and Byzantine remains, as indicated by the crossed columns, arches supporting the roof, and Corinthian capitals.
During the 2011 restoration, a stone column with a Byzantine inscription was uncovered on the western facade, and Roman stones were reused in the southern wall of the mosque. The mosque covers approximately 1,500 square meters and features three halls separated by ten large marble columns.
The mosque has two entrances, one on the eastern side and one on the northern side. The southern facade includes three niches for the Qiblah, used for educational sessions of the three approved schools in the city. The central niche is the largest and most ornate, flanked by two marble columns topped with finely engraved stone arches. The side niches are smaller and less elaborate. The Qiblah wall also features a beautiful stone podium with prominent floral and geometric decorations. A room for preserving prophetic poetry is located at the end of the western wall, while ablution facilities and bathrooms are situated in the northwestern part of the mosque, with a separate prayer area for women at the western end.
The mosque's significance is heightened by its hosting of prophetic poetry, gifted to the city by Ottoman Sultan Muhammad Rashad V in 1911. A procession of the city's notables, including Rashid Al-Bitar, received the poetry, and the Al-Bitar family has since been responsible for its preservation. The city celebrates annually by displaying the poetry on the night of the twenty-seventh of Ramadan, with a religious festival featuring the Sufi group, flags, and banners. The mosque fills with worshipers from the city and beyond for this significant religious occasion.