RIYADH: The historic Al-Duwayd Mosque is considered one of the oldest Muslim places of worship in the Northern Borders region.
Located in the archaeological village of Al-Duwayd, 20 km east of Al-Uwaiqila governorate, it covers an area of 137.5 square meters.
The architecture of the mosque, established seven decades ago, is distinguished by the Najdi style, featuring clay construction techniques and the use of natural materials to cope with the local environment and hot desert climate.
The southern side of the mosque walls has small windows, forming a strip line to allow sunlight and heat to reduce cold snaps, along with a low ceiling to maintain warmth in the winter, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Al-Duwayd is one of the oldest villages and significant historical sites in the region and has numerous water resources. Its 200 wells were crucial for desert dwellers in the past and the village once served as a key meeting point for merchants from Najd, Iraq, and the Levant.
The village boasts the region’s — and one of the Kingdom’s — oldest civil airports with its ruins still visible.