MADINAH: The closure of seven mosques in Madinah with a lock and key was clearly not enough for the authorities, as they have now closed them with brick and mortar, indicating that the decision is final. Religious visitors are dismayed at the closures and say that these mosques must be opened because they carry the trappings of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and his companions.
The Tourism Commission said it had no part in the decision and its now calling for them to be opened because they are an important part of Madinah’s tourism sector.
The seven mosques are part of the historical heritage of Madinah and are visited by many pilgrims.
While only six mosques are present in reality, the group of mosques that were closed are referred to as the “seven mosques.” Historians have said that the “Qiblatyyan Mosque”, which is a kilometer away from them, is the additional mosque because the people who visit the six mosques inevitably visit the seventh “Qiblatyyan Mosque” as well. However others still say that there were seven originally and that one disappeared.
Many believe that the Prophet prayed in some of these mosques and used to call on God in these places. They believe also that the rest of the mosques were frequented by the Prophet’s companions in the Trench Battle. Each one of them was in the mosque that was named after them.
These mosques lie in one of the trenches built by the Muslims during Prophet’s era to protect Madinah from the armies of the Quraish which sought to overtake them in the so-called “Battle of the Parties.”
Some historians also suggest these locations were places of monitoring in the battles and the mosques were named after those who stayed there to fight and protect Madinah from its south to its north. These names include Salman Alfarisi, Abu Bakar Al-Sadeeq, Omar bin Alkhattab, Ali bin Abi Taleb and Fatima Alzahra.
Shiekh Saleh Almaghamisi said that visits to these mosques by pilgrims are symbolic and serve as a form of remembrance of the Prophet and his Companions.
The Tourism Commission said it had no part in the decision and its now calling for them to be opened because they are an important part of Madinah’s tourism sector.
The seven mosques are part of the historical heritage of Madinah and are visited by many pilgrims.
While only six mosques are present in reality, the group of mosques that were closed are referred to as the “seven mosques.” Historians have said that the “Qiblatyyan Mosque”, which is a kilometer away from them, is the additional mosque because the people who visit the six mosques inevitably visit the seventh “Qiblatyyan Mosque” as well. However others still say that there were seven originally and that one disappeared.
Many believe that the Prophet prayed in some of these mosques and used to call on God in these places. They believe also that the rest of the mosques were frequented by the Prophet’s companions in the Trench Battle. Each one of them was in the mosque that was named after them.
These mosques lie in one of the trenches built by the Muslims during Prophet’s era to protect Madinah from the armies of the Quraish which sought to overtake them in the so-called “Battle of the Parties.”
Some historians also suggest these locations were places of monitoring in the battles and the mosques were named after those who stayed there to fight and protect Madinah from its south to its north. These names include Salman Alfarisi, Abu Bakar Al-Sadeeq, Omar bin Alkhattab, Ali bin Abi Taleb and Fatima Alzahra.
Shiekh Saleh Almaghamisi said that visits to these mosques by pilgrims are symbolic and serve as a form of remembrance of the Prophet and his Companions.
