Blending history and science
Architect revives ancient sundial tradition in Mosul with five installations across the city
MOSUL — In an effort to revive Mosul’s architectural heritage, architect Ahmed Al-Omari has constructed five new sundials at historic mosques across the city, including Omar Al-Aswad Mosque, Nabi Sheet Mosque, Nabi Jerjis Mosque, Imam Mohsen Mosque, and Al-Hajj Mansour Mosque. These sundials, crafted from limestone and featuring intricate circular, vertical, inclined, and cylindrical designs, offer a glimpse into the region’s rich scientific and cultural history.
“The sundial traces its origins back to the Babylonian civilization and later became widespread during the Islamic era, primarily used to determine prayer times in mosques and public squares,” Al-Omari told 964media. “Its mechanism relies on the shadow cast by sunlight throughout the day, which varies between summer and winter. Designing sundials involves precise astronomical and mathematical calculations, including the latitude and longitude of Nineveh province and the angles of horizontal and vertical shadows.”
Al-Omari emphasized that the sundials were meticulously designed to indicate time with precision. “Each sundial displays shadow markers for every quarter-hour, and similar sundials can be found at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem and Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo,” he added.
The tradition of sundials in Mosul dates back to the Atabeg era under Nur ad-Din Zengi, with a prominent sundial placed at the Great Al-Nuri Mosque. Historian Zain Al-Jalili, the grandson of the late Mosul astronomer Dr. Mohammed Sadiq Al-Jalili, explained how his grandfather played a crucial role in preserving this tradition in the 1970s.
“Dr. Al-Jalili, who held a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering and a diploma in astronomy, built a circular sundial near the former Nineveh governorate building, which still stands today. He also constructed vertical sundials at various landmarks, including Nabi Yunus Mosque and Al-Qattanin Mosque in the Sarjakhana district,” Zain said.
While modern technology has largely replaced the practical need for sundials, they remain enduring symbols of Islamic scientific heritage. “These structures serve as a testament to the ingenuity of ancient Muslim scientists and their contributions to astronomy and mathematics,” Al-Omari concluded.
