Abu Darwish Mosque, Amman

Abu Darwish Mosque is relatively new, having been built in 1961. Its design is simple yet strikingly beautiful, with a welcoming feel that sets it apart. The mosque’s distinct black-and-white checkered facade is visible from afar and adds to its unique appeal.

Funded and designed by Abu Darwish (Mustafa Hassan), the mosque covers around 2,500 square meters and sits on land that also belonged to him. A renowned local calligrapher was brought in to handle the intricate paintings and inscriptions, while most of the construction work was carried out by Palestinians from a West Bank village near Jerusalem. Before the mosque was built, the Ashrafiyeh area of Amman was largely uninhabited, though a hospital did exist on the hill. Noticing the lack of rest areas for women visiting the hospital, Abu Darwish added two lounging rooms on the property.

The mosque also includes a small library and a modest museum, though access to the museum isn’t guaranteed for visitors. Generally, the mosque is not open to non-Muslims, but many tourists, including those who are non-Muslim, have managed to tour the inside. Note that during prayer times, the mosque is strictly for Muslims only.