Al Bidya Mosque
Al Bidya Mosque
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
395 reviews
Excellent
174
Very good
159
Average
53
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8
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Adela
Prague, Czech Republic48 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Al Bidyah Mosque is the oldest mosque in the UAE, it is located on the coast of the Indian Ocean, near the village of Bidyah and is called the White Mosque. It is said to be from 1424, it is a small building with four domes, above which there are two separate towers (they serve as minarets and as watchtowers). Beautiful view of the sea, Bidyah and the wonderful Hajjar Mountains. Free entry, abaya and headscarf rental for women.

Written October 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
markmurungu
Harare, Zimbabwe32 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
A must-stop on your way back from Fujeirah! A security guard issues you with Arab clothes so that you are modest for the visit. The mouse was built in 1400AD and it is quaint and charing, overlooked by Oman style forts. Built of rocks and clay from the area, it is atmospheric and still used as a place of worship. A climb up to the forts is worth it for the view as well, and (if open) the curio she is worth a visit.
Written January 10, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ID576207
250 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
If you have an interest in historical sites, this is one of the more interesting ones in the UAE.
As other reviews have mentioned, there is little to no information about the site available in English, so refer to online articles before you visit to get the most out of it.
It is a working religious site, so the usual clothing requirements, removal of shoes to go inside all apply. Non Muslims are allowed to visit, provided they are appropriately dressed.
It's by the main road between Khor Fakkan and Fujairah, so it's easy to find, and there's plenty of parking. No entrance fee.
As other reviews have mentioned, there is little to no information about the site available in English, so refer to online articles before you visit to get the most out of it.
It is a working religious site, so the usual clothing requirements, removal of shoes to go inside all apply. Non Muslims are allowed to visit, provided they are appropriately dressed.
It's by the main road between Khor Fakkan and Fujairah, so it's easy to find, and there's plenty of parking. No entrance fee.
Written December 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary
Tucson, AZ36 contributions
Feb 2023
This is historically important as the first mosque. We sometimes forget that Islam has only been around since the 600’s. The simple mud construction of this building reflects the time it was built. Compared with the elaborate mosques, its simplicity is a reminder of the early days. Some parts are open but you must honor the rules for clothing that include taking off shoes. There is a religious shop. There are benches and trees to quietly soak in the atmosphere. The hike up the hill to the two towers is relatively easy for a nice view of the surrounding valley.
Written March 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nouree S
Emirate of Dubai, United Arab Emirates67 contributions
Jun 2022
You need a PR test to pray inside the mosque. Sadly, I went when it was Eid Ul Fitr, the holidays had not ended so it was closed. They open at 8 in the morning, clean up by 9ish and if you have PR test then you can pray inside. Men and women are welcome.
I couldn't go inside so went right behind the mosque where a lot of prayer mats were placed, I offered my prayers and had some chilled water they have in the coolant provided and left.
This place indeed is love, very serene and I will come back after I get a PR test.
I couldn't go inside so went right behind the mosque where a lot of prayer mats were placed, I offered my prayers and had some chilled water they have in the coolant provided and left.
This place indeed is love, very serene and I will come back after I get a PR test.
Written June 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DenLee
Ruthin, UK25 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
We visited the mosque on a Monday afternoon. The mosque itself was closed due to COVID-19 regulations, which was understandable, however the surrounding grounds were open. The mosque itself carried modest clothing requirements for men and women, but the surrounding grounds do not. Outside of COVID-19 regulations the mosque is also closed on Fridays and Saturdays.
If the mosque really does date to over 500 years old, it is a shame that this status is not represented in the way it is preserved and displayed for visitors. There is next to no historical detail or information of any kind, which is such a shame as genuine historical material culture backed up with academic resources is quite hard to come by in this country.
The building itself is a point of interest, though whilst it may originally date back 400-600 years, it has quite obviously been ‘restored’ to the point where it doesn’t look as old as I am, let alone several centuries. Again, a sad indictment in the way that the authorities here treat antiquity.
Nevertheless, the grounds are very pleasant, and there is a walk up the mountainside along several fortifications giving an impressive view of the surrounding settlements and mountains.
This is still a worthy place to visit, and one can only wonder at the rich human history that has trod these stones over hundreds of years. It is just a shame that no attempt to catalogue or explain this history is made.
If the mosque really does date to over 500 years old, it is a shame that this status is not represented in the way it is preserved and displayed for visitors. There is next to no historical detail or information of any kind, which is such a shame as genuine historical material culture backed up with academic resources is quite hard to come by in this country.
The building itself is a point of interest, though whilst it may originally date back 400-600 years, it has quite obviously been ‘restored’ to the point where it doesn’t look as old as I am, let alone several centuries. Again, a sad indictment in the way that the authorities here treat antiquity.
Nevertheless, the grounds are very pleasant, and there is a walk up the mountainside along several fortifications giving an impressive view of the surrounding settlements and mountains.
This is still a worthy place to visit, and one can only wonder at the rich human history that has trod these stones over hundreds of years. It is just a shame that no attempt to catalogue or explain this history is made.
Written April 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marylu81
Dubai, United Arab Emirates471 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
Al Bidya Mosque in Fujairah, the oldest mosque in the United Arab Emirates.
Characterized and distinct from other ancient and modern mosques, for having four domes of unequal dimensions, supported by a central pillar creating a very particular engineering system, a unicum.
The mosque is square (6.8 x 6.8 m) but irregular in shape, the height of its Mihrab (the internal niche positioned in the direction of the Qibla) is 180 cm with a width of 90 cm. The Minbar (pulpit) consists of stairs with three steps and is square in shape.
The most probable date of construction of the mosque is 1446 AD
Characterized and distinct from other ancient and modern mosques, for having four domes of unequal dimensions, supported by a central pillar creating a very particular engineering system, a unicum.
The mosque is square (6.8 x 6.8 m) but irregular in shape, the height of its Mihrab (the internal niche positioned in the direction of the Qibla) is 180 cm with a width of 90 cm. The Minbar (pulpit) consists of stairs with three steps and is square in shape.
The most probable date of construction of the mosque is 1446 AD

Written June 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dubai Food Guide
Dubai, United Arab Emirates867 contributions
Aug 2021 • Solo
It was the oldest mosque in UAE , Minbar According to the radio carbon analysis the date of this Mosque as early as 1446 AD.
Mosque Al Bidiya is built of stone & mud bricks & is coated in many layers of whitewashed plasters achitetecurally.
The Area of this mosque is 53 square meters and built without any wood.
The mosque continue to host daily prayers, and its tourist attraction.
Mosque Al Bidiya is built of stone & mud bricks & is coated in many layers of whitewashed plasters achitetecurally.
The Area of this mosque is 53 square meters and built without any wood.
The mosque continue to host daily prayers, and its tourist attraction.
Written August 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helena5731969
Pretoria, South Africa83 contributions
Jan 2020
Al Bidya Mosque is, according to guides and web sites, the oldest mosque in the whole of the UAE. It is small, very simple, but built in an interesting architectural style, which by itself makes it well wort the visit.
It has strict dressing codes for both men and woman, as well as protocol regarding prayer times and the like, so be sure to check those beforehand - especially if you are non-Muslim.
It has strict dressing codes for both men and woman, as well as protocol regarding prayer times and the like, so be sure to check those beforehand - especially if you are non-Muslim.
Written February 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sea Dweller
Dubai, United Arab Emirates6,929 contributions
Feb 2020
The archaeological site of Al Bidya Mosque, in fact, consists of an old mosque built in the 15th century and two neighboring watch towers, which are also called Al Bidya Towers. The small mosque is well known for having a unique architectural design for all United Arab Emirates.
Two towers have a different design. The lower tower is round, while the upper tower is elliptical. At both towers only the upper part is plastered.
Free admission. A very interesting place. I advise you to visit it.
Two towers have a different design. The lower tower is round, while the upper tower is elliptical. At both towers only the upper part is plastered.
Free admission. A very interesting place. I advise you to visit it.
Written February 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ferum2016
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Assalam wa alikum
need to bring my students for a trip to the this mosque can you tell me the procedure please.
Written December 5, 2016
There are no formal procedures to visit the site. The masque is 30km from Fujairah if you take the rout Dubai-Fujairah-Khorfakkan-Dibba. Al Badya is approximately 10-12 km from Khorfakkan. It is highly recommended to visit during weekdays to avoid traffic jams in khorfakkan. You can also Travel via Dibba but this is a longer rout. As far the procedure for visiting Masque, it is open to public throughout the week. You can further collect information to include Fujairah sites in rout to make the trip more enjoyable. Use tripadvisor to collect more information on Fujairah.
Written December 5, 2016
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