Bin Bahr Mosque was the first to be built in Kuwait

KUWAIT: Mosques are some of the most sacred buildings on earth; hosting seekers of worshipping His Almighty, knowledge and enlightenment on religious subjects. For hundreds of years, Kuwaitis have been building beautiful and simply designed mosques. In the old times, the ancestors used to erect them with mud, rock and cane. The roofs were made of Jindal wood. They used to reserve rainwater on mosques’ roofs, with a network of metal pipes reaching an ablution chamber, called ‘Al-Kro’. Minarets were of square shape, not too high and free of any ornamentation.

Ancient mosques in Kuwait were not only places for prayer, but were more like makeshift schools, where sessions were held for memorizing the Quran. Moreover, scholars used to lecture about religious and scientific issues. Bin Bahr Mosque was the first one to be built in Kuwait back in 1670. It was situated opposite Seif Palace, according to the book, ‘History of Ancient Kuwaiti Mosques’, composed by Adnan Salem Al-Roumi.

The one who laid the corner stone was Sheikh Ibrahim bin Abdullah Al-Bahr. It was renovated in 1745 and 1858. It was refurbished in 1956. In 2000, the Awqaf authority restored and expanded it, keeping its genuine features and designs. One of the oldest mosques in Kuwait is Al-Adsani Mosque, founded in 1747 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Adsani. Al-Adsani Mosque had an important role in the Kuwaiti society as it was one of the few mosques where Friday and Eid prayers were held. Researcher Aisha bint Saleh bin Abdulwahab Al- Adsani said in her book, ‘Al-Adsani Mosque’, that it was built by Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdulwahab Al- Adsani, the third Kuwaiti to take charge of the judiciary in the country (1756-1783). Sheikh Mohammad had built it at a location opposite his house within Kuwait’s first fence. It was home for Quranic studies, as well as classes to teach the locals scientific topics and Arabic language, before the emergence of modern schools. — KUNA