The Expanded Narrative
The minaret of the Al-Mihdhar Mosque is the tallest mud-brick minaret in the world, standing forty metres high with a unique pyramidal form.
The tallest mud-brick minaret
The minaret of the Al-Mihdhar Mosque is the tallest mud-brick minaret in the world, standing forty metres high. It takes a unique pyramidal form on a square base, distinguishing it from other Islamic minarets and making it an exceptional engineering achievement in mud-brick architecture.
A historic and architectural symbol
The mosque is a prominent landmark of Tarim, linked to its scholarly and religious history. Its architecture embodies successive historical phases, from its founding in 833 AH / 1429 CE by Umar al-Mihdhar bin Abd al-Rahman al-Saqqaf to its reshaping into the present form in 1333 AH / 1914 CE.
A distinguished engineering achievement
The final construction and design of the mosque are credited to the master builder Awad Salman Afif and the people of Tarim. The building passed through three developmental phases, reflecting the evolution of local architectural techniques in handling mud materials.
An integrated architectural composition
The mosque’s plan consists of an open courtyard surrounded by four porticos, with the qibla portico distinguished by its depth and quality of decoration. It houses three stucco mihrabs adorned with geometric, floral and calligraphic patterns embodying the local artistic skills of that age.
A scholarly and cultural function
The mosque houses the al-Ahqaf Library on its ground floor, established to preserve the rare manuscripts owned by Tarim and neighbouring regions. The library reflects the important scholarly centre the city has enjoyed since the fourth century AH.
Precise construction details
The minaret stands at the middle of the side opposite the qibla portico, containing an internal staircase to its seven levels. Built of local mud and roofed with palm trunks, it was funded by Sayyid Abu Bakr bin Shihab, showing a model of communal cooperation in creating architectural monuments.
