Umayyad Mosque
The Umayyad Mosque, also known as the Great Mosque of Damascus Romanization Gami Bani Umayya al-Kabir), located in the old city of Damascus,
is one of the largest and oldest mosques in the world. It is considered by some
Muslims to be the fourth-holiest place in Islam.
After the Arab conquest of Damascus in 634, the mosque was built on the
site of a Christian basilica dedicated to John the
Baptist (Yahya), honored as a prophet by Christians and Muslims alike. A
legend dating to the 6th century holds that the building contains the head of
John the Baptist. The mosque is also believed by Muslims to be the place whereJesus (Isa)
will return at the End of Days.
The tomb of Saladin stands in a small garden adjoining the
north wall of the mosque.
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