Sidi Khaled Mosque
Mosque in Biskra, Algeria
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Sidi Khaled Mosque (Arabic: مسجد سيدي خالد; French: Mosquée de Sidi Khaled) is a mosque and mausoleum located in the town of Sidi Khaled in the district of Ouled Djellal, in the province of Biskra, Algeria. It is one of Algeria's national heritage sites.[1]
| Sidi Khaled Mosque | |
|---|---|
مسجد سيدي خالد | |
 The rebuilt mosque, in 2006 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Sunni Islam |
| Sect | Sufism |
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status | |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Sidi Khaled, Ouled Djellal, Biskra Province |
| Country | Algeria |
  Location of the mosque in northern Algeria | |
 Interactive map of Sidi Khaled Mosque | |
| Coordinates | 34°23′10″N 5°00′39″E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Islamic architecture |
| Style | Algerian |
| Completed |
|
| Specifications | |
| Dome | 7 |
| Minaret | 1 |
| Shrine | 1: (Khaled bin Sinan) |
The mosque is believed to contain the tomb of Khaled bin Sinan,[2] an early pre-Islamic religious figure who was said to have been the descendant of Ishmael. Local traditions assert that he was buried in Algeria, although this is mostly legendary fiction.[3][4]
History
The Sidi Khaled Mosque is said to have been one of the oldest mosques in Algeria.[4][3] The Algerian scholar, Abdur-Rahman al-Akhdari, visited a tomb dedicated to Khalid bin Sinan that was located in Biskra.[1] He also composed a poem about Khalid bin Sinan upon his visit to the tomb.[3] Some historians, however, have doubted the authenticity of the poem and whether it can be attributed to Al-Akhdari.[3] Nevertheless, Al-Akhdari is credited as being the first to write about the tomb, and is sometimes attributed to even be the founder of the tomb.[3] The traveller Al-Ayyashi wrote about the tomb in 1668 CE, describing it as being located inside a large mosque that was attached to a madrasah.[1]
Modern history
In 1912, the incoming floods destroyed the mosque and its mausoleum.[1] Five years later, the residents of Biskra rebuilt the mausoleum, with the help of prominent architects.[4] In 1999, the mosque and its mausoleum were classified as a national heritage monument of Algeria.[1] The present-day structure is the 1917 reconstruction, with an additional six years to complete the rest of the building.[4]
In recent times,[when?] the mosque was placed under a restoration project by the Ministry of Culture due to it suddenly being a deteriorating state, such as cracks appearing in the walls.[1][4] However, the project was delayed, and put on hold. As of 2021[update], the project was delayed and no further updates were given, and it was also reported that the roof was in danger of collapsing.[4] Regardless, this place is still a popular destination amongst the locals of Biskra, who visit it usually on the 26th day of the month of Ramadan.[4]
Gallery
The minaret of the mosque
Minaret when viewed from inside the courtyard
Inside the mosque courtyard
The mosque during a sandstorm
