His Majesty to perform Eid prayers at Al Khor Mosque

MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik will perform Eid al Fitr prayer at Al Khor Mosque in the Governorate of Muscat, said a statement by the Diwan of Royal Court on Thursday.

The text of the statement reads as follows:

“On the advent of the first day of Shawwal; happy days of Eid al Fitr 1444 AH, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik will perform Eid al Fitr prayer at Al Khor Mosque in the Governorate of Muscat.

Along with His Majesty the Sultan, the Eid al Fitr prayer will also be attended by their highnesses members of the Royal Family, ministers, under-secretaries, commanders of the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF), the Royal Oman Police (ROP) and other security units and ambassadors of the Islamic countries accredited to the Sultanate of Oman.

On the blessed occasion, the Diwan of Royal Court is honoured to extend sincere greetings to His Majesty the Sultan, praying to Allah Almighty to perpetuate good health and happiness on His Majesty. The Diwan also prayed to Allah to grant His Majesty a long life and protect him to be a source of pride for his people. The Diwan also appealed to Allah for the return of this blessed and similar occasions at a time His Majesty, the Arab and Islamic nations enjoy bounties of welfare and prosperity.”

ONA reports that Al Khor Mosque (Al Shuhada) is one of the historical landmarks in Muscat Governorate, adjacent to Al Alam Palace and the Al Jalali and Al Mirani Forts.

Many scholars, judges, and governors graduated from it, and teaching began during the reign of Sultan Turki bin Saeed, and its principal, teacher, and mufti was Sheikh Suleiman bin Muhammad bin Ahmed Al Kindi, the owner of the book (The Sunni Masterpiece on the Board of Al Ajurumiyyah in Arabic Science) and the explainer (The Creed System of Nur al Din al Salmi ).

Dr Nasser bin Saif Al Saadi, a researcher in Omani history, told the Omani News Agency that Al Khor Mosque does not have the exact date of its construction, and some accounts indicate that it was built on the ruins of the mosque that was demolished during the arrival of the Portuguese leader Albuquerque in Muscat in 1507 AD, and also indicates that after the expulsion of the Portuguese at the hands of Imam Sultan bin Saif Al Yarubi in 1650 AD, the mosque was rebuilt and was known at that time as the Al Shuhada Mosque.

— ONA