14 of the Oldest Mosques in the World

Source: sacredfootsteps.org

14 mosques established in the first 150 years of Islam, after the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) migrated to Madina:

1. Umayyad Mosque, Damascus, Syria: 96 years after migration (AH)

The site of the Umayyad Mosque was originally a Christian church and a Roman temple prior to that. After the Muslim conquest of Syria, the church was converted into a mosque. Caliph Walid I, who oversaw its conversion, radically altered the layout of the building- a project that was completed in 715. Parts of the outer wall today still date back to the original Roman temple of Jupiter. Inside, an edifice marks the spot where John the Baptist’s (Yahya ibn Zakariyya) head is thought to be buried. A plaque has also been placed above the spot where the head of Imam Husayn (may God be pleased with him) was put on display after he was martyred at Karbala.