What is the Grand Mosque of Damascus?
Q: What is the Grand Mosque of Damascus?
A: The Grand Mosque of Damascus, also known as the Umayyad Mosque, is one of the largest and oldest mosques in the world. It is located in one of the holiest sites in the old city of Damascus.
Q: Why is the Grand Mosque of Damascus important?
A: The Grand Mosque of Damascus is important because of its architecture and historical significance.
Q: What does the mosque hold?
A: The mosque holds a shrine which is said to contain the head of John the Baptist (Yahya), honored as a prophet by Muslims and Christians alike.
Q: How was the head of John the Baptist found?
A: The head of John the Baptist was supposedly found during the excavations for the building of the mosque.
Q: Whose tomb stands near the mosque?
A: The tomb of Saladin stands in a small garden adjoining the north wall of the mosque.
Q: Who visited the mosque in 2001?
A: Pope John Paul II visited the mosque in 2001, primarily to visit the relics of John the Baptist.
Q: What was significant about Pope John Paul II's visit to the mosque?
A: It was the first time a pope paid a visit to a mosque.
