Al-Bidyah Mosque or Ottoman Mosque is a popular attraction of Fujairah. It is a renowned ancient mosque that tells the 15th-century history to its visitors. Al-Bidyah is the oldest mosque in UAE and represents Fujairah’s cultural heritage. Historical buildings are the proof of excellent engineering skills and Al-Bidyah is no exception. Its beauty, architecture, and its bearings made the mosque Fujairah’s most loved tourist spot.
Al-Bidyah is a medieval building made with stone walls and domes. The minute wall engravings and rock art depict the unique craftsmanship skills of people of the mid-15th century.
The mosque was built in 1446 AD that features a simple brick and mud structure. It showcases the mind-blowing craftsmanship qualities of the architects. Al-Bidyah’s ‘musalla’ or the room for devotees is properly ventilated and decorated with Islamic architecture.
The mosque is nestled across the coastal road, and non-Muslims are allowed given you are wearing appropriate dresses. You will find a huge graveyard with a tomb near the mosque that belongs to the Iron Age. Various artifacts, pottery works, and arrowheads are kept from the era of 1000 BC.
History of Al Bidyah Mosque
The locals hold a huge respect towards Al-Bidyah since it is Emirates’ oldest mosque and is still open. Locals believe that the mosque was built during the mid-15th century. Since then, it has been serving the people of Fujairah. Besides, it is recognized as a UNESCO heritage site in UAE. Locals and visitors gather here every day to worship. The striking part is no one knows who built it till now and no books or historical information is there regarding the Al-Bidyah Mosque. However, it is believed that the mosque is named after the person who built it (Al-Bidyah).
A group of Australian archaeologists discovered the age of the mosque by carbon dating a few samples. The mosque although is small but is a significant tourist destination, especially if you want to know about things to do in Fujairah. Due to this reason, the mosque is often swarmed with tourists from across the globe. A rectangular courtyard is present inside the mosque for prayer. You will also find an ancient water well that was probably used for performing wudu in ancient times.
Timing
If you want to explore every detail of the mosque without worrying about tourists flocking, then you have to plan the trip accordingly. Visit when you can completely indulge in the experience without any disturbance. The mosque opens at 9 am and closes by 5 pm; therefore, it is better to visit in the early hours as soon as it opens to avoid crowds and rush.
Nearby Places to Visit
Snoopy Island
If you are a fan of Snoopy, the cartoon character, you will definitely find a huge similarity since the rock looks like Snoopy lying on its back. Every year Snoopy Island holds exciting aquatic sports and music festivals for the locals and tourists. You can take part in exciting water activities like scuba diving, kayaking, and many more.
Since fishing is prohibited on Snoopy Island to safeguard marine life, you will find a vast stretch of colorful marine reefs, green turtles, and other unseen marine animals.
Kalba Corniche Park
A perfect picnic or barbeque zone for families, the Kalba Corniche Park is another most-loved spot nearby Al-Bidyah mosque. The huge playground for kids and access to the beachwill instantly make you feel excited to indulge in some relaxing activities, but it is not perfect for swimming. Kalba Corniche Park is well-maintained and you will find many cafeterias and food joints that offer delicious food items.
Sheikh Zayed Mosque
Emirates is all about stunning architectural work and Sheikh Zayed Mosque is one of them. It is world’s greatest mosque and Emirate’s second-largest. Although non-prayer visits are not allowed, you can appreciate its beauty and architecture from the outside. Adorned with beautiful minarets and domes, Sheikh Zayed mosque spreads across an area of 22,400 square meters. The prayer hall is big enough to accommodate over 28000 devotees.
Fujairah Museum
Apart from spectacular beaches or mountains, Fujairah also has historical and cultural significance. The famous Fujairah Museum showcases valuable archeological finds that reflect the UAE’s heritage and its past. The facts and finds will enlighten you about Emirates 3000 years old history. This place also covered in Fujairah east coast tours; details are available here.
The exhibits you will find here belong to the early Bronze Age.
You will find magnificent artifacts on display that archaeologists found at Qidfa and Bithnah.
Other items that were found belong to the Bronze Age. Another interesting thing that you will find is an ostrich egg, which is 2200 years old.
How to Visit Al Bidyah Mosque
You can reach Al-Bidyah from Fujairah easily, as the mosque is just twenty minutes away from the main city and is located 8 km north of Khorfakkan. Tourists stop here while traveling to other destinations. You can take a cab to visit the mosque.
