The Abdulhadi as-Soudi Mosque (Arabic: مسجد عبد الهادي السودي) is a now-destroyed historic mosque located in the city of Taiz in southwestern Yemen. It is named for Abdul Hadi as-Soudi, a Muslim scholar and poet who is buried there along with some of his family. The mosque was destroyed in 2016 by Islamist militants who were reportedly from al-Qaeda.
| Abdulhadi as-Soudi Mosque | |
|---|---|
Arabic: مسجد عبد الهادي السودي | |
 The ruined mosque in 2017, with a wall of the central chamber still standing | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Islam |
| Region | South Arabia |
| Location | |
| Location | Taiz, Yemen |
| Country | Yemen |
  Location in Yemen | |
| Geographic coordinates | 13°34′11″N 44°00′29″E / 13.5696218°N 44.0079645°E |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Islamic architecture |
| Date established | 16th century |
History
editThe mosque was first constructed during the later years of the rule of the Tahirid Sultanate, and then renovated during the rule of the Ottoman Empire over Yemen.[1][2] It not only functioned as a place for prayer, but also as a place for Sufi gatherings.[1] The renowned poet and Muslim scholar Abdul Hadi as-Soudi was buried in a room within the mosque known as the Qubbat Abdulhadi as-Soudi.[3]
Architecture
editThe mosque building was only a single story, with a courtyard and a place for the Sufis to conduct their meetings. A large white dome topped the structure; this dome was regarded as one of the largest mosque domes in Yemen before the destruction in 2016.[1][4][5] A dome topped the room known as the Qubbat Abdulhadi as-Soudi which contained the mausoleum where the remains of the mosque's namesake and some other Sufi saints were entombed.[2][3] A cemetery also exists behind the mosque, and it is still active since 2016.[3]
Desecration
edit2015 vandalism
editIn September 2015, the Abdulhadi as-Soudi Mosque was vandalized and looted by Islamist militants.[1][2] It was reported that they stole furniture, pottery, and some decorative elements from the mosque. Reportedly, the remains of the Sufi saints, including that of Abdulhadi as-Soudi, were exhumed from their graves.[2]
2016 destruction
editThe Abdulhadi as-Soudi Mosque was ultimately destroyed in 2016, when Islamist militants planted explosives within the mosque and detonated them, destroying the mosque and mausoleum completely.[1][3][4] According to some news outlets, the militants were from al-Qaeda[3][4] while another claim was that they were backed by ISIL.[6] Al Arabiya reported that a Salafi leader named Abu'l Abbas led the militants into the mosque at night, where they were able to discreetly place the explosives within the structure.[4] As of 2020, the site is still in ruins and has not been rebuilt yet.[3] Google Maps satellite imagery confirms this as well.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e Al-Omari, Walid (30 July 2016). "The bombing of the mosque and shrine of Abdulhadi as-Soudi in Taiz". Sana'a News.
- ^ a b c d "The Abdulhadi as-Soudi Mosque and Shrine in Taiz is being vandalized and looted by extremists". Khabar Agency. 16 September 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f "The most important religious monuments which the extremists had destroyed". Al Share'a. 23 January 2020.
- ^ a b c d AFP, Aden (31 July 2016). "Salafists blow up 16-century mosque in Yemen". Alarabiya News.
- ^ "Radicals blow up 16-century mosque in Yemen". Gulf Times. 2016-07-31. Retrieved 2024-06-22.
- ^ "Seen in pictures: ISIS bombed the shrine Qubbat Abdulhadi as-Soudi in the city of Taiz after they exhumed his grave". Yemen Press. 31 July 2016.