UAE supports the historic Umayyad Mosque restoration, reviving centuries of Islamic heritage in Damascus

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The UAE has announced the Umayyad Mosque restoration initiative in Damascus with support from H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak.

The Umayyad Mosque restoration project highlights the rich history and cultural importance of one of Islam’s oldest landmarks.

DAMASCUS: The UAE has announced a major cultural initiative to support the Umayyad Mosque restoration in Syria’s capital, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to preserving Arab and Islamic heritage. The project is being carried out with the support of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, known as the Mother of the Nation, and reflects the UAE’s wider humanitarian and cultural vision.

The announcement was made during a visit to Damascus by Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, UAE Minister of State, who toured the historic mosque and discussed plans for its rehabilitation. The Umayyad Mosque is regarded as one of the oldest and most significant landmarks in the Islamic world and remains a symbol of Syrian history and identity.

About the Umayyad Mosque:
The Umayyad Mosque restoration initiative announced by the UAE has renewed global attention on one of the Islamic world’s most historic and culturally significant landmarks. Located in the heart of Damascus, the Great Mosque of Damascus has stood for more than 1,300 years and remains a symbol of architectural brilliance, religious coexistence and Arab heritage.

Built between 705 and 715 AD by Caliph al-Walid I, the mosque occupies a site layered with centuries of civilisations. Historians say the location first held a temple dedicated to the Aramean god Hadad before later becoming a Roman temple to Jupiter. During the Byzantine period, the site was transformed into a cathedral dedicated to John the Baptist under Emperor Theodosius I.

Following the Islamic conquest of Damascus in 634, Muslims and Christians reportedly shared the religious complex before Caliph al-Walid I commissioned the present structure. The Umayyad Mosque restoration now seeks to preserve this remarkable historical legacy for future generations while maintaining the mosque’s original Syrian identity.

The mosque is regarded as a turning point in Islamic architecture because it integrated Roman and Byzantine design influences into an early Islamic setting. Craftsmen from Persia, India and Greece contributed to its construction, creating detailed mosaics, grand courtyards and an expansive prayer hall that still attract visitors from around the world.

Religious scholars also consider the site deeply sacred. The mosque houses a shrine believed to contain the tomb of John the Baptist, known in Islam as Prophet Yahya. Islamic tradition further associates the mosque with the return of Jesus during the end of days.

The Umayyad Mosque restoration is expected to support cultural preservation efforts while strengthening awareness of Syria’s historic role in shaping Islamic civilisation.

H.H. Sheikha Fatima highlighted the humanitarian values established by the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, whose legacy continues through initiatives focused on development, heritage and cultural preservation. She said the UAE remains committed to supporting projects that protect shared Arab history and strengthen cultural ties across the region.

Officials confirmed that the Umayyad Mosque restoration project will include structural rehabilitation, architectural maintenance and improvements to the surrounding historic district. The work will aim to preserve the mosque’s original Syrian character while helping revitalise the local economic and cultural environment.

Al Kaabi said Syria holds a special place in Arab civilisation and described the mosque as an enduring cultural landmark for the Islamic world. She added that the UAE has consistently supported restoration and heritage initiatives across the region as part of its broader cultural diplomacy and humanitarian efforts.

The Umayyad Mosque restoration is expected to contribute to preserving one of the Arab world’s most treasured historical sites for future generations.

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