In the old village of Al-Mansaf, northwest of Al-Zulfi, a late nineteenth century mosque continues to serve its community.
The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques has completed the restoration of Al-Mansaf Mosque, a structure originally built in 1873 in the traditional Najdi style. The redevelopment forms part of the project’s first phase, launched in 2018 to rehabilitate historic mosques across the Kingdom.
Located approximately 272 kilometres north of Riyadh and around 38 kilometres from Al-Zulfi city, the mosque stands within the original settlement of Al-Mansaf village, where it has long functioned as both a place of worship and a community institution.
Architecture rooted in Najd
Al-Mansaf Mosque reflects the architectural language of central Arabia. Constructed using clay bricks, mud, tamarisk wood, and palm fronds, it embodies the material culture of its surroundings. The roof structure incorporates palm fronds and tamarisk trunks, methods historically common in Najdi building techniques.
The mosque was established at the same time as the founding of the village itself. In addition to daily prayers, it served as an educational centre for residents and neighbouring communities. Early teachers included Sheikh Jasser Bin Mohammed al-Jasser, followed by Abdulrahman al-Jasser and Ahmed Bin Abdulaziz al-Habees.
Its position along routes historically used by pilgrims and travellers gave it further significance, functioning as a transit point and gathering space.
Expansion and modern facilities
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the restoration expanded the site from 200 square metres to 337 square metres, increasing capacity to 150 worshippers. The project integrates modern additions while maintaining the building’s original character.
The redeveloped mosque now includes a prayer hall, an open courtyard, a dedicated prayer area for women, updated ablution facilities for both men and women, restrooms, and a storage space. These upgrades were introduced in line with sustainable heritage standards intended to preserve the mosque’s identity while ensuring continued usability.
The project team sought to balance traditional construction methods with contemporary structural requirements, aiming to safeguard the mosque’s components for future generations.
Part of a wider heritage effort
Al-Mansaf Mosque is one of several historic mosques restored under the national initiative, which aims to rehabilitate significant religious landmarks across different regions of Saudi Arabia. The broader project reflects a shift towards conservation that maintains original architectural features while adapting sites for current community needs.
Despite dating back more than 150 years, Al-Mansaf Mosque remains active. With the restoration complete, it continues to function not only as a place of worship but as a reminder of the architectural and social history of the Najd region.
Want to check out the mosque in person? Here’s the location.
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