16th century mosque being renovated

Muscat: A Mosque built in the 16th century is being restored by the Ministry of Culture and Heritage.

Due to the historical importance of the Al Owaina Mosque, the Ministry is continuing restoration work within the structure located in Wilayat Wadi Bani Khalid.

According to the Ministry, the restoration work is focused on rebuilding the prayer hall with its internal arches and in constructing the Mihrab, a wall that indicates the direction to Mecca for prayers.

In a statement, the Ministry discussed the future plans it has for the mosque and its surrounding areas.

“At a later restoration stage, there will be a sculpture of decorations and plasterwork identical to the Mihrab in the National Museum. Furthermore, there will be a repair process for the falaj next to the mosque,” the statement said.