The Nation Mosque
The al-Saleh’s mosque is partially opened on the advent of Ramadan/September, 2008 as many people from Sana’a and visitors from the governorates went to pray in it.
The president’s mosque which is built on the president’s expense is considered to be an immense Islamic building and one of Sana'a city distinctive features.
The mosque is characterized by its six distinctive minarets, each reaching a height of 100 meters, and features five domes. The four smaller domes are all 20.35 meters high and 15.6 meters in diameter, while the large central dome is 39.6 meters high and 27.4 meters in diameter. The entire structure was built according to the highest standards of safety.
The mosque, by its very nature, is meant to serve as an enduring symbol of both Islamic and Yemeni heritage and, as such, must be able to withstand the ravages of time . With this in mind, building materials were chosen for their durability and resistance to extreme weather conditions.
The building's main structure is made of reinforced concrete- Yemeni concrete, thanks to its reputation for being of excellent quality. Moreover, President Saleh instructed that the mosque's extensive stonework to be carried out exclusively with materials found locally.
Taking their cues from ancient feats of Yemeni architecture, such as the Temple of Bilqis and the Marib Dam, the mosque's architects were determined to imitate certain features of these, as they have surely stood the test of time.
The mosque complex, which includes several support buildings, is massive –occupying a total area of 27.300 square meters. The mainhall of the maoque itself has an area of 13.596 square meters; the ceiling rises to a height of 24 meters, and is surmounted by the delicately patterned domes. The hall has a capacity of up to 44.000 persons at a time, and has a separate women's section.
Though the mosque was built in a clearly traditional style reflecting the dimensions of ancient Himyarite architecture with stone and other building materials found locally, it is nevertheless a modern structure and was built according to the highest international standards.
The inspirational construction of Al Saleh mosque bridges the gap between Yemen's ancient civilization and architectural legacy and modern technology, and deftly integrates the cherished heritage and novel innovations. It will also paly an important role as a source for scholarly study in the social and religious sciences. The Al Saleh Mosque is bound to be a major Yemeni cultural institution for untold years to come.