Here we make a brief review of the best mosques that can be visited in Jordan so that you can access them during your tour, if you have time and interest in it and you like to know the culture and religion of the places you visit. Jordan has an advantage for you: many of the country’s mosques admit visitors who do not profess Islam, unlike other Muslim countries where this is much more difficult.
Blue Mosque of Amman (King Abdullah I Mosque)
Officially, this is the only mosque that can be visited in the Jordanian capital. And we are very lucky to be able to do so, since it is a monumental construction that is well worth a small tour of its interior. In fact, its exterior contemplation is already a delight, since its architecture is most fascinating. It is called the ‘blue mosque’ because the large dome that crowns the complex is covered in a very pleasant light blue colour . This feeling of cleanliness and purity is also helped by the white color arranged throughout the rest of the mosque, including its two large minarets in a futuristic style although inspired by the Ottoman tradition. This modern style is understood by the fact of its recent construction: it was built in the 80s of the last century and is named after the first king of independent Jordan. Its interior stands out for its size and spaciousness, with capacity for about 7,000 people.
Al Husseini Mosque in Amman
This is another of the capital’s great mosques. In this case, although it is not officially open to the public, the mosque officials can admit non-Muslims if they are dressed with decorum. In any case, you should ask at the entrance if they actually have this gesture of deference that day. If so, you will discover a temple with an older air, since it was inaugurated in 1924, although it was built on top of an earlier mosque: from 640, which made it one of the first mosques in the country, at the height of the expansion of Islam.
Sharif Al Hussein Bin Ali Mosque in Aqaba
This mosque is named after a key figure in the Arab Revolution, who was also appointed emir of Mecca at the beginning of the last century and is the great-great-grandfather of King Abdullah II. It was built in the 70s of the last century and was expanded a few decades later. The highlight of the exterior is its elegant whiteness, with a dome and minaret featuring original zigzag relief decoration. Inside, despite its modernity, there is a beautiful combination of traditional materials and elements, such as arcades, decorative Arabic writing, wood, tiles… In addition, it is a living space because it is conceived as an Islamic cultural center.
Great Mosque of As Salt
As we said in this post, As Salt is one of the most pleasant surprises that a traveller looking for less crowded and original destinations can get. In this city, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, where the imprint of its Ottoman past predominates, a large mosque in this style cannot be missing. Its origins date back to the 14th century, although the current building dates back to the mid-19th century, with a major renovation at the beginning of the present century. Its minaret is the highlight of the complex, while inside the atmosphere is welcoming, mixing traditional and modern architecture.
Although these are four of the main mosques that can be visited in Jordan, do not hesitate to ask our staff about the existence of others during your tour, since in smaller towns such as Wadi Musa or Madaba there may also be temples that open their doors to non-believers.
