Al Shafi'i Mosque

Al Shafi'i Mosque is a place of worship in Historic Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and one of the oldest mosques in the city. Travellers come to see a building with deep roots and to look at the carving and colour of its prayer niche. It is still used for prayer, so a visit here is as much about atmosphere as architecture. The feature to look for is the mehrab, the niche that marks the direction of prayer. Its carved patterns are known for their fine detail, picked out in crimson, emerald green and indigo. The mosque is open from 08:00 to 18:00, and there is no minimum age, so families can bring children of any age. Because worshippers use the space, it is best to move quietly and dress respectfully. The mosque was built nearly 1,400 years ago and was first called Alateeq Mosque. It was later renamed in honour of Imam Shafi'i, the celebrated Islamic scholar. A historic memoir from 1045 mentions it, which shows how long it has been part of Jeddah's story. Standing inside today, you are in a place that links the city's early past with its present daily devotion.