Al-Shawathna Mosque

Al-Shawathna Mosque is a historic mosque in the al-ʿAqr quarter of Nizwa, in Oman's Ad Dakhiliyah region. The present building dates to the 16th century, while the record places the original foundation in 629. It has two richly decorated mihrabs, one facing Mecca and the other Jerusalem. The mosque is still used for prayer. It is also remembered as a centre of learning, from which many scholars, writers, thinkers and jurists emerged.

Arabic sources state that the mosque was first built in the seventh year of the Hijra (629 CE). The presence of a mihrab facing Jerusalem, the direction of prayer in the earliest period, suggests that the layout goes back to an older structure; the German source considers this predecessor probably to date from the 7th century.

The mosque was last rebuilt and restored in 936 AH (1529 CE), a date said to be indicated by its mihrab. It is reported to have kept its form since then. Over the centuries it became a centre of learning of influence in Oman, where many scholars and men of letters were trained.

The building continues to be used for prayer today.