User:Ameeraabu/Ashrafiya Mosque

History

Al-Ashrafiya Mosque and Madrasa was supposedly built in two stages: (1) by al-Ashraf I (1295-6), (2) by al-Ashraf II (1377-1400). In its earliest model, the mosque consisted of a single prayer hall along with eight smaller domes In its first stage the mosque had a prayer hall with eight small domes surrounding a much larger central dome. Artistically, the mosque was decorated in stucco and painted ornament of quality that impressive for the in comparison to its regional equals. On the premises, there is a square courtyard that can be found behind the mosque. A royal tomb chamber and classrooms for the Quranic school surround the courtyard creating an almost perfect square of the land plot. The south side of the courtyard contain a pair on nonhomgenously designed minarets in the corners. Importantly, the qibla wall is also decorated externally similar to the courtyard. It has a succession of contiguous arches with supporting columns, or arcades, that superimpose and get increasingly smaller.

Architectural Model

Domed buildings became very prominent with the architectural design of madrasas like the Ashrafiya mosque. Its mosque consists of a central domed bay with a domed bay bordering each of two sides. The Ashrafiya Mosque, however, varied from other traditional models in that the library and Quranic school were integral to the structure of the complex. Al-Ashrafiya Mosque is surrounded by a number of locations that overlook the old city.

Tomb History in Yemen

In Yemen, tomb architecture began to emerge in the sixteenth century. Previously, tombs and mosques were two separate concepts until under Ottoman rule of Murad Pasha was a dome placed over the tomb in a mosque setting.

Recent Impacts of War

Recently, this architectural integrity of this landmark was compromised by an unexpected artillery shell launched by Ansar Allah group (Houthis) and the forces of their former ally Saleh, against the neighborhood of Al-Ashrafiya. In June 2015, severe damage of the mosque was caused when an artillery shell hit the eastern lighthouse.

The deputy director general of tourism in the governorate of Taiz was a witness to this incident. He detailed that "On Wednesday, June 17th, 2015, at 4:30, the eastern minaret of the historic Al- Ashrafiya Mosque was suddenly bombed." This particular incident shook the entire area surrounding the mosque and shattered the windows of the houses neighboring the mosque. Regarding the structural integrity of the mosque itself, the minaret was visibly damaged by the shell in its middle section and was cracked.

The implications of this war go beyond scares of that period alone. Tourists began to cease to stop visiting the city’s archaeological sites. This ultimately led to a recession for craftsmen of the region as tourist engagement was their main source of income.

Restoration

In the past decade, the project of restoring the Al-Ashrafiya Mosque and Madras has been made an example for rescue and restoration measures and rehabilitation with the Third International Architectural Conservation Conference and Exhibition in Dubai of 2012. It has been taking place with the cooperation and participation of community member throughout various phases of the project.

In the last phase, the southern and northern walls, eastern domes, and the basement were restored were plaster resurfacing. In the process of preparing a task force, thirteen technicians were trained on documentation and restoration of gypsum motifs. These sessions were constructed and facilitated by a local expert knowledge about the field in this particular region. Mural paintings and gypsum decorations at the shrines and the open courtyard were chemically cleaned more than fifty percent of their original state. Also, the central dome of the mosque along with the wall of the prayer gall were mechanically cleaned and consolidated up to sixty-five percent. To update the functionality of the structure, electrical wiring was installed throughout all parts of the premises omitting the primary prayer hall.