By dubailife 
Located along the coast of Al Bidya, approximately 30 kilometers north of Fujairah’s city center, the Al Bidya Mosque, also known as the Ottoman Mosque, holds the title of the oldest mosque in the UAE, still welcoming worshippers for daily prayers.
Dating back to around 1446, this historic mosque is perched on a hillside, positioned in front of a Portuguese fort built more than 200 years ago. Unlike many ancient sites in Dubai and across the UAE, which have been unearthed through archaeological discoveries, the Al Bidya Mosque has remained in continuous use. For a time, residents from nearby villages like Al Fai, Al Jubail, Haqeel, Twai bin Saada, Al Hara, and Al Telae would gather here for Friday prayers.
The mosque is a simple structure, crafted from locally sourced stone, mud brick, hay, and coated with whitewashed plaster. Its design, while not ornate, holds a unique charm. The mosque features four unequal-sized domes clustered closely together, forming its distinct appearance. These domes were constructed in ascending, disk-like layers, with the smallest crowning the top.
A standout feature of the Al Bidya Mosque is its architectural ingenuity. The four domes are supported by a single central pillar, an innovative engineering technique that also serves as the interior’s focal point. The mosque, though square in its dimensions (6.8 x 6.8 meters), has a slightly irregular shape, with soft, curved edges that give it a squat, humble appearance.
One of the most remarkable characteristics of the mosque is its lack of a minaret, a feature uncommon in most mosques in Dubai and the UAE. Inside, the design is simple, with decorative dentate carvings and small openings that allow light and air to filter through. Niches carved into the walls once held lamps for illumination.
The mosque’s mihrab—a niche indicating the direction of Mecca (qibla), which Muslims face during prayer—is 180 cm high and 90 cm wide. It is square in design, with three doorstep stairs leading up to it.
Despite its significance, much about Al Bidya Mosque remains a mystery. Its exact builder and date of construction are still uncertain. An investigation conducted in 1997 by the Fujairah Archaeological Centre and the University of Sydney suggested it may have been built around 1446, alongside two nearby watchtowers. However, without any wood in the structure, carbon dating is impossible, leaving the exact date of origin open to debate.
One thing is certain: the mosque was already standing when the Portuguese built the fort behind it in the 16th century, as their documents included drawings of the mosque.
Although rare in both age and design within the UAE, similar mosques from the same period can be found across the region, in Oman, Qatar, and Yemen. These mosques share similarities in their ascending dome designs and central pillars. However, they often differ in the number of domes, with some featuring between seven and twelve.
Al Bidya Mosque continues to serve as a place of worship and remains informally open to tourists, with guided tours available upon request. Its historical and architectural significance contributes to the rich cultural tapestry of the UAE, making it a valuable landmark in the region.
Source : thenationalnews