01.11.2026 17:11
In Damascus, the capital of Syria, the historic Süleymaniye Complex, built by Mimar Sinan during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent, has reopened for worship after about 15 years. Following the completion of restoration work that had been disrupted by the civil war, the first noon prayer was performed in the complex. There were emotional moments at the opening of the historic structure, where the sound of the adhan rose again after years.
After remaining closed to worship for 15 years in Damascus, the Süleymaniye Complex reopened its doors with the completion of the restoration. While the first Dhuhr prayer was performed in Mimar Sinan's historical work, the opening was also attended by participants from Turkey.
MIMAR SINAN'S 467-YEAR-OLD WORK REOPENED FOR WORSHIP The civil war that began in Syria in 2011 also deeply affected the country's historical and cultural heritage. While many historical buildings were damaged during the conflicts, the restoration of some works could not be completed for years. One of these structures was the Süleymaniye Complex in Damascus. The repair works, which had been interrupted due to the war, were completed after the conflicts ended. The complex, built by Mimar Sinan between 1554 and 1559 during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent, is among the important works of Ottoman architecture in Damascus.
THE FIRST CALL TO PRAYER ROSE AFTER 15 YEARS The first Dhuhr prayer was performed in the Süleymaniye Mosque, which reopened for worship after an interval of approximately 15 years. The sound of the call to prayer rising again in the historical mosque, where worship had not been possible for a long time, became a meaningful moment for those attending the opening. Within the scope of the restoration, arrangements were also made in the complex's surroundings, garden, and madrasas. Thus, the historical structure began to welcome its visitors again not only with its place of worship but also with the architectural elements around it.
STATEMENT FROM THE MOSQUE IMAM ON THE HISTORICAL OPENING In his statement after the first Dhuhr prayer, Mosque Imam Abdulrauf al-Sheikh Najib explained the historical importance the complex holds for Syrians. Najib said, "This place was the gate of Syrians opening onto the Holy Sanctuary for ages and the stopover of pilgrimage caravans. The great interest the public showed in this first Dhuhr prayer we performed after a 15-year interruption made us extremely happy."
HE WENT FROM ISTANBUL TO DAMASCUS AND WITNESSED THE HISTORICAL MOMENT Ahmet Muhsin Yurtsever, who went from Üsküdar in Istanbul to Damascus to attend the opening, also expressed his satisfaction with the restoration works. Noting that the historical mosque resembles the Yavuz Sultan Selim Mosque in Istanbul, Yurtsever made the following statements: "We are in Damascus on an important day, a historical day. After 15 years, the Damascus Süleymaniye Mosque, an important work of Mimar Sinan, was opened. We were here as well. It really turned out to be a very beautiful work, a beautiful restoration. Mimar Sinan's work resembles the Yavuz Sultan Selim Mosque in Istanbul. The garden arrangement, the restoration of the madrasas around it, all turned out very beautifully. We are very pleased. We thank all the authorities responsible for this place very much. People also come here to visit from Turkey. It is a very beautiful day. We are pleased to be here. After 15 years, the Süleymaniye Mosque has been reunited with worship through the call to prayer. We were also here on this beautiful day."