MOSQUE

There are few ancient monuments in Qatar, so take advantage of a desert tour to stop in Simaisma and visit a mosque that is relatively old for the country. Built in the ^19th century in a town once populated by pearl fishermen, this small mosque housed a madrassa (Koranic school) for children until 1938, and is now the residence of the muezzin. The mosque's thick walls, which maintain a cool temperature inside, were built using an ancient technique of superimposing coral and limestone rocks. The roof was covered with a layer of compressed mud to protect the mosque from the sun.

Architecture. The iwan (portico), with nine square arches, overlooks the courtyard. At the entrance, the mehrab points east towards the Kaaba, the sacred stone of Mecca. It consists of two arches, one of which houses a minbar (podium). Next to the former madrassa are the stairs leading up to the minaret. Its summit is shaped like a khodha, a traditional Arab helmet, some examples of which can be seen on display at the Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al-Thani Museum in Al-Shahaniya.

Visiting. Non-Muslim visitors are allowed to enter this ancient mosque, provided they perform the ritual ablutions known as wudu, as a mark of respect. These are performed in the mothawaddah, located in the southeast corner of the courtyard. Visitors are, of course, advised not to enter the mosque or take photographs during the prayer.