The Al-Bazar Mosque in Latakia

An Ottoman mosque in the middle of Latakia’s market district. The inscriptions over its entrances date it to AH 1240, or 1824-1825; they do not name a founder. It is also known as the Ashr Mosque and the Small Mosque.

Getting there

The mosque is inside the market. The Al-Jadid Mosque is about 200 metres to the east as the crow flies, and the National Museum just under 600 metres to the west.

How the building changed

Local tradition holds that an early prayer place founded by Ubada ibn al-Samit, a companion of the Prophet, stood on this spot; no document confirms it. The present building is Ottoman. It was repaired in 1874. In AH 1317, or 1899-1900, it was largely pulled down together with the Al-Omari Mosque next door; the two were joined into a single prayer hall, which was extended to the south. The dome seen in a photograph from 1859 was removed in that work. Further repairs followed in 1968-1969 and in the 1980s.

Is it open today

Not verified. We found no recent source specific to this building showing that it is open for prayer or to visitors. Hours and access need to be checked on site.

How long it takes

Twenty minutes, as a short stop on a walk through the market.

What most people miss

The inscriptions over the doors. They carry the date 1824-1825 but no founder’s name, so they cannot tell you who paid for the building. The width of the prayer hall is a clue too: today’s single room takes the place of two mosques that once stood side by side.