مسجد ميقات ذو الحليفة (مسجد الشجرة)

The mosque was built during the reign of Abdullah bin Omar in 83 AH (706-712 CE), and was renovated several times afterwards. The most recent major renovation was during the reign of King Fahd. The highlight of this renovation was the drastic expansion of the mosque's area. In 1989 the Ministry of Hajj Affairs and Awqaf (currently The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah) commissioned the Egyptian architect Abdel-Wahed El-Wakil. He is known for developing contemporary mosque designs while being inspired by Arabian vernacular architecture and infusing its elements into modern-day detailing. The current mosque is built in the shape of a square and presides over an area of 6000 square meters. It is outlined with a continuous square-shaped enclosure that has a total area of 36000m2. At the heart of the mosque is a wide courtyard that has an area of approximately 1,000 square meters embracing a water spring in the middle that is shaded by an iconic dome and surrounding greenery. The mosque consists of a series of riwaqs (galleries) carried on columns. A total of one hundred domes cover the corridors, which creates a visual repetition. The domes are elevated 16 meters from the ground except one dome which resides over a square base highlighting the mihrab. It is elevated 28 meter from the ground. The iconic spiral minaret reaches a height of 64 meters. The floor of the mosque is covered with marble and granite. The doors were constructed from teak wood. The galleries around the mosque are used mostly for services, such as restrooms, changing rooms for pilgrims in addition to a market (souq) that fulfills the needs of visitors.

الصور — منصور الصوفي