Prince Hashim opens fourth Hashemite reconstruction project at Al-Husseini Mosque

Prince Hashim bin Al-Hussein, on behalf of King Abdullah II, inaugurated the fourth Hashemite reconstruction project of the Al-Husseini Mosque in downtown Amman on Sunday.

The project involved covering the mosque's inner courtyard with a 50-ton glass roof structure. It included renovating the courtyard floor and the surrounding internal facades.

In 2021, King Abdullah II ordered the construction of a glass dome to cover the mosque's inner courtyard after the outer colonnade canopy was damaged by snow accumulation. The aim was to expand the prayer area and protect worshippers from various weather conditions.

Prince Hashim received a briefing from Engineer Ne'ma Qatanani, Executive Director of Engineering at the Greater Amman Municipality.

The project features an Islamic geometric design, glass aspects with movable vents for ventilation, safety and security measures, and an aesthetic that preserves the mosque's heritage identity.

The project also involved refurbishing the courtyard floor and surrounding facades, standardizing the shapes and dimensions of the arches, and retaining the small pool and green dome in the courtyard after their restoration.

Additionally, 16 stone columns supporting the glass roof were strengthened with structural reinforcements, visual distortions were removed, exterior stones were cleaned, the outer courtyard was re-paved, obstacles were removed, and a ramp for people with disabilities was added.

The Al-Husseini Mosque has undergone continuous restoration and reconstruction efforts, starting with the first Hashemite reconstruction in 1923, when it was built on the ruins of the old Umari Mosque.

The second reconstruction was in 1952, and the third in 1987 during the reign of the late King Hussein bin Talal

Since King Abdullah II ascended the throne, the mosque's reconstruction has continued. In 2019, following a fire at the mosque, the King ordered the installation of a new pulpit and mihrab, decorative wooden facades, and the covering of the mosque's columns with hand-cut mosaics.

Attendees at the mosque's opening included Royal Hashemite Court Chief Yousef Al-Issawi, Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaileh, Amman Mayor Dr. Yousef Al-Shawarbeh, and Secretary-General of the Ministry of Awqaf Dr. Abdullah Al-Aqeel.