Sharjah24 – Reuters: At the heart of downtown Amman, the Al Husseini mosque has been popular among worshippers since the inception of the modern Jordanian state, representing a window into its diverse heritage.

Built between 1921 and 1923 on the ruins of a mosque which dated back to the era of Omar Ibn al-Khattab, the Al Husseini mosque was built during the reign of King Abdullah I.

Many Jordanians contributed to cover construction costs at that time, said Yaqoub Hmaid, the head of the committee looking after the mosque.

People used to cover long distances by foot to come and pray at the mosque, Hmaid recalled.

Since then, the mosque has attracted not only worshippers but also many religious scholars and Quranic students.

"Hundreds, if not thousands graduated from here", the director of the mosque, Omar al-Khateeb, said.

The mosque, which also includes a library and a center for Quranic studies, underwent renovation works during the era of King Hussein and King Abdullah II.

The most recent renovations took place in 2019, after a fire erupted inside. They included a new pulpit, as well as additional woodwork and mosaic on its facade.

The Al Husseini mosque stood as a landmark as trade and business developed in downtown Amman.

Many popular public markets and shops have been established around the mosque.