UAE deepens ties with Syria through restoration of ancient Damascus mosque

The United Arab Emirates has announced that it will oversee the restoration of the historic Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, as relations between the UAE and Syria continue to strengthen under the country’s new leadership.

Also called the Great Mosque of Damascus, the announcement came during a visit to the mosque by the UAE's Minister of State Noura Al Kaabi on May 15, as Emirati media reports.

“Syria occupies a unique place at the heart of Arab and Islamic civilisation, and the Umayyad Mosque is one of its most prominent historical landmarks and enduring cultural symbols,” Al Kaabi said.

“The UAE’s announcement of the restoration of this mosque, with the generous support of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, reflects the importance of our shared heritage and culture, and the UAE’s unwavering support for the Syrian people.”

She added that the initiative would include structural and architectural restoration work on the mosque itself, alongside broader revitalisation efforts in the surrounding historic district.

According to Al Kaabi, the project aims to preserve the area in a way that “aligns with the Syrian identity and the economic, cultural, and social fabric of the country”.

Symbol of religious unity 

Widely regarded as a masterpiece of Islamic architecture, the Umayyad Mosque was built in the 8th century during the rule of the Umayyad Caliphate and remains one of the oldest and most significant mosques in the Islamic world.

Located in Damascus’ Old City, the mosque is renowned for its elaborate marble interiors and intricate mosaics.

The site itself reflects the layered religious history of the city. Before the mosque was constructed, the location served as a temple dedicated to the god Hadad between the 10th and 9th centuries BCE. It later became a Greek temple dedicated to Jupiter, was Romanised in the 1st century, and then transformed into a Christian church in the 4th century.

The church housed relics believed to belong to John the Baptist — known in Islam as Prophet Yahya — which remain preserved inside the mosque today in a small marble shrine.

The Umayyad Mosque is often cited as a symbol of religious continuity and coexistence, with its sacred space reflecting centuries of Islamic and Christian heritage.

By Nazrin Sadigova