Algeria (INA) - The ancient mosque in the Algerian city of Setif is a unique example of the history of Ottoman architecture and a jewel in the history of ancient mosques in the city, and strong evidence of the achievements of Islamic civilization in the Ottoman era in North Africa. This mosque is distinguished by its exquisite Ottoman Islamic decorations, which made it one of the rare examples of Islamic art and architecture in Setif, Algeria. By preserving its original features since its inception, it is an important feature that deservedly qualified it to represent one of the rare samples, as the durability of the structure, and the accuracy of engineering and The beauty of Islamic architecture. As for the Ottoman imprint, it is the clearest and most preserved through the architecture of the mosque and its original remains, such as decorations from the inside and outside, and some windows, in addition to some Quranic verses inside and in its various angles. As for the interior layout of the mosque, it consists of two parts with an old crack, with a rectangular shape. And a new incision, with a shape close to the square, ready for prayer, as well as a mihrab, which is a bouquet of decoration that fascinates the eye as much as it enchants it, especially its minaret, which still testifies to the genius of Islamic art. This ancient mosque consists of two floors, and it has about fifty-two windows with oval peaks surrounded by stained glass, which increased its elegance and beauty. It has two entrances that stand out through its elegant and refined architecture, especially the four-sided minaret. And it accommodates three thousand worshipers daily, and on Fridays and holidays, about one thousand and five hundred worshipers, and one of the references indicates that the ancient mosque is the first landmark and the only one that was built with a unique urban plan on the architecture of the usual Islamic mosques in our country since the Arab Islamic conquest of North Africa, especially its minaret Which still testifies to the genius of Islamic art today. The establishment of the ancient mosque According to some references, the history of the establishment of the ancient mosque in the Algerian city of Setif dates back to the year 1262 AH corresponding to 1845 AD, as it is written on the foundation plate above the main entrance to the mosque outside, and the date of completion of the works is nearly two years, i.e. in the year 1264 AH / 1847 AD According to what is indicated by the internal decorative inscriptions signed by its decorator, on which the following is written, and I only agree with God. Written by Muhammad bin Al-Agha 1264 AH. The name of King Louis Philippe, the ruler of France between the month of August 1830/1848 AD, was mentioned in the basic writings of the ancient mosque so that the French government at that time would pretend before the Algerian people at home, and before public opinion abroad that it was not working to obliterate the Arab and Islamic identity. The restorations that touched the ancient mosque remained this mosque throughout the ages that followed the eternal impact on the Algerian city of Setif, where, despite the earthquakes, the most violent of which was the earthquake that struck the city in the sixties of the last century, then it returns to stand tall as a witness to history again, Until it became like an Algerian museum, its walls hide the history of the oldest inhabited city in North Africa, Algeria, Al-Fayhaa. According to Dr. Ibrahim Boudoukha, the imam of the mosque, that the latter knew of a restoration before independence, and tiles were made in it. After independence, light repairs were done with the addition of tiles similar to the old tiles in the new mosque, as well as the removal of the courtyard to expand the prayer house, and the installation of some iron grips on the dome of Jawsaq, its minaret, which was cracked by movements. The floor and replacing one of the original wooden upper panels with an iron fence, and providing the ceiling from the outside with bronze channels to drain rain and snow water on it, and replacing the two middle door flaps of the entrances to the house of prayer with one rudder. (End) Continent of Zuhair
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