Al-Farran Mosque.. The faithful guardian of the Red Sea coast

When you stand in front of Al-Farran Mosque, you imagine that its ancient stones and wooden pieces have come to life, bowing down like living beings pulsating with wisdom and sanctity. It tells the land and the sea the story of an eternal life on Al-Qusair Beach, standing tall by the sea. It is like a soldier guarding life and the memory of the place.

The gates of the mosque open onto endless tales and stories. They expand with time and are renewed with the passing of days. It is the first mosque to be built on the shores of the Red Sea, and has become a spiritual window overlooking the horizon. It is a bridge connecting the earth to the sky, the sea to man, and an open memory for every visitor. It remains a testament to the fact that when faith is combined with architecture, it gives stone a soul and places an everlasting life.

Spiritual inspiration and architectural beginnings

In his book on the heritage of Al-Qusayr, historian Taha Hussein Al-Jawahiri recounts that the Al-Furn Mosque—or, as the locals call it, the Al-Farran Mosque—is the oldest mosque in the city. It was built at the beginning of the 18th century, specifically in 1704 AD. Its establishment is linked to Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil al-Farran, who came from the coast of Hijaz via trade and pilgrimage routes. He became a spiritual symbol that illuminates the memory of the place and gives the city its first thread of architectural and religious fabric.

Al-Jawahiri mentions in the third part of his book “Al-Qasir fi al-Wathaiq al-Uthmaniyya” (The Short One in Ottoman Documents), which includes more than seventy rare documents, some of which are written in Turkish, that a document edited by Muhammad Abdul Qadir al-Miqati confirms that the mosque is attributed to Sheikh Ahmad al-Farran and not to Ibrahim Khalil. The front part of the mosque was designated as his tomb. It was endowed in accordance with Sharia law so that it could not be sold, gifted, or inherited.

Who was Sheikh Al-Farran?

Al-Jawahiri explains that the documents do not mention much about the sheikh, but that his origins can be traced back to the eastern coast of the Red Sea (now Saudi Arabia). He came to Al-Qassir with a bunch of merchants from different countries during the 18th century. Back then, the city was a trading hub that brought together people from different countries.

The sheikh was buried in the courtyard of Sheikh Abdul Ghafar Al-Yemeni, and the mosque was later renovated. The old minaret is still standing behind the new one. The date of construction is inscribed on the entrance door on the sea side. Because the mosque overlooks the sea, its minaret played a prominent role as a lighthouse to guide ships in past centuries.

The wooden facade above the back door next to the old minaret bears the inscription in prominent letters: “In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, peace be upon you for your patience, and may you be rewarded in the hereafter.” This inscription dates back to 1116 AH/1704 AD, at the beginning of the reign of Ottoman Sultan Ahmed III (1703-1730 AD).

A historical inscription reveals the secret of the beginnings

The inscription on the old minaret, as mentioned in Dr. Mahmoud Abdel-Aal’s study on the mosques of the Red Sea, reveals a date of 1116 AH/1704 AD. However, this date was not, in essence, a record of the moment the mosque was founded. Rather, it commemorates the burial of Sheikh Al-Faran. This reveals another fact: that the mosque existed before that year, or was built at the same time as the sheikh’s departure.

Al-Jawahiri sheds light on another aspect, explaining that Sheikh Al-Faran’s courtyard was on the western side of the mosque. The current minaret is not the original one. The old minaret, which appeared in paintings of the French campaign with its “pencil-like” top, was of the Ottoman style similar to the minarets of Cairo at the time. The minaret that stands today was built in the first half of the 19th century. This is confirmed by historical sources and the observations of travelers and orientalists.

The minaret that became a lighthouse

In his archaeological study, “Al-Farran Mosque in Al-Qusayr – An Archaeological Study,” Dr. Mahmoud Tony Shaaban describes the mosque’s ancient minaret in terms that transcend architecture and reach the realm of symbolism. It was not just a tall structure, but a lighthouse guiding ships in the darkness of the sea. It was a landmark that sailors used to indicate the proximity of the marina.

It was built on a sturdy square base, topped by a cylindrical body surrounded by a wooden balcony, and ending with a small dome crowned by a crescent. It looked like a lamp suspended between the sky and the sea, and thanks to its location directly overlooking the coast, it became a watchful eye guiding travelers. It was a spiritual symbol combining the sanctity of the call to prayer with the light of guidance. It became part of the memory of the Red Sea.

A crossing point for souls and a destination for caravans

Dr. Mahmoud Al-Tuni’s study indicates that the Al-Farran Mosque was not just a place of worship. It was a meeting place for merchants and pilgrims of various nationalities, who made the city of Al-Qusayr a major stop on the Red Sea coast.

Just as Al-Qusayr was a crossing point for travelers on trade and pilgrimage routes, the mosque was a crossing point for souls. It gave travelers peace of mind to continue on their way and a moment of serenity between the hardships of travel and the spaciousness of their destination.

Renovation while preserving identity

Al-Jawhari recounts that in 1980, the mosque underwent a major renovation, the opening of which was attended by the then Minister of Awqaf, Dr. Zakaria Al-Bari, and Major General Abdul Hamid Othman, Governor of the Red Sea. The renovations included the construction of a new tall minaret while preserving the old historic minaret in an attempt to connect the present with the past.

The faithful guardian of the land and religion

Adel Ash, founder of the Al-Qusair Heritage Preservation Society, emphasizes that the Al-Farran Mosque has remained a living witness to the city’s identity. It has not lost its role as an architectural and spiritual symbol, but has remained an archaeological landmark in the center of old Al-Qusair, a vibrant memory overflowing with stories.

He adds: The mosque was not just a building constructed more than three centuries ago. It was a maritime and spiritual memory that preserved the passage of pilgrims, stored the stories of sailors, and echoed the call of the minaret, which one day became a lighthouse guiding ships. With the passage of time, the mosque became a tourist attraction and destination for visitors from different countries around the world. They come to listen to its history and admire its architecture.