| Jezzar Pasha Mosque | |
|---|---|
| Basic information | |
| Location | Acre, Israel |
| Affiliation | Islam |
| Architectural description | |
| Architectural type | Mosque |
| Architectural style | Ottoman |
| Completed | 1781 |
| Specifications | |
| Minaret(s) | 1 |
The Jezzar Pasha Mosque (Arabic: مسجد الجزار Masjid al-Jazzar), also known as the white mosque, is located on al-Jezzar Street inside the walls of the old city of Acre, overlooking the eastern Mediterranean Sea, and is named after the Bosnian Ottoman governor Ahmed al-Jezzar (the butcher) Pasha.
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The mosque was the project of Acre's Ottoman governor in the late 18th century, Ahmed al-Jezzar (the butcher) Pasha, who was equally famous for his cruelty, impressive public works and for defeating Napoleon at the siege of Acre in 1799. Jezzar Pasha ordered the mosque's construction in 1781 and had it completed within the year; it was built over former Muslim and Christian prayer houses and other Crusader buildings.[1] There is a tughra or monogram on a marble disc inside the gate, naming the ruling Sultan, his father and the legend "ever-victorious".
Adjacent to the mosque is a mausoleum and small graveyard containing the tombs of Jezzar Pasha and his successor, Suleiman Pasha, and their relatives.[2]
The mosque is an excellent example of Ottoman architecture, which incorporated both Byzantine and Persian styles. Some of its fine features include the green dome and minaret, a green-domed sabil next to its steps (a kiosk ,built by Abd al-Hamid II, for dispensing chilled drinking water and beverages) and a large courtyard.[2]
The mosque, that is dominating Acre's skyline, was originally named Masjid al-Anwar (the great mosque of lights) and also known as the white mosque because of its silvery-white dome that glittered at a great distance. The dome is now painted green.[1] The minaret has a winding staircase of 124 steps.[3]
Outside of Jerusalem, it is the largest mosque in Israel.
The mosque houses the Shahr el Nabi (a lock of hair from the beard of Mohammed the Prophet). The Shahr el Nabi was paraded through Acre on Id al-Fitr, ending the fast of Ramadan, it is now only shown to the congregation.[3]
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