Al-Safa Mosque Restoration In Baljurashi Highlights 1,350-Year Heritage Within Sarat Mountains

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques is continuing restoration work on Al-Safa Mosque in Baljurashi Governorate, highlighting the importance of preserving historic houses of worship that express Saudi Arabia’s cultural identity. The initiative aims to keep original features intact while strengthening the religious and social role of such sites within their local communities.

Al-Safa Mosque is regarded as the oldest mosque in Al-Baha Region and among the earliest mosques in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Historical sources state that the building is more than 1,350 years old, reflecting an early phase of Islamic presence in southern Saudi Arabia and giving the mosque particular value for researchers and visitors.

The mosque stands at the centre of Baljurashi Governorate, in the Al-Baha Region, around 27 kilometres from Al-Baha city and about 3.5 kilometres to the southwest of the governorate building. This central position supports daily worship and social gatherings, and links the site to surrounding neighbourhoods that have grown around it over many centuries.

According to accounts passed down and documented, Al-Safa Mosque was built by the Companion Sufyan bin Awf in the year 46 AH. This information is supported by an inscription carved on the mosque’s door, which mentions the builder and date. The inscription is considered a key historical reference and confirms the depth of the site’s roots in early Islamic history.

Architecturally, the mosque follows the traditional Sarat style common in the surrounding highland areas. The structure uses solid granite stones taken from nearby mountains, giving it durability and a strong visual link to its landscape. Inside the prayer area, two juniper wood pillars carry parts of the roof, reflecting building practices historically used in the region.

The mosque covers an area of 78 square metres, which has remained unchanged before and after restoration works, and can host 31 worshippers. Maintaining the original size supports efforts to protect the historic character of the site, while development activities focus on improving durability and safety without changing the basic layout.

Within the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques, restoration operations at Al-Safa Mosque are executed by specialised Saudi heritage companies under the supervision of Saudi engineers. The project targets a careful balance between traditional design elements and modern construction standards, helping ensure structural sustainability while conserving the authentic architectural identity that links the mosque to the cultural heritage of Al-Baha and the wider Kingdom.

With inputs from SPA