Ancient Mosque Discovered in Israel, Scholar Reveals Islamic Respect Attitude

The remains of an ancient mosque have been discovered by archaeologists south of the Sea of Galilee in Tiberias, Israel. The mosque is estimated to have been constructed around 670 CE, shortly after the Prophet Muhammad’s death.

The construction period coincides with several other historical mosques, including the mosque in Medina, the Great Mosque of Damascus, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Katia Cytryn-Silverman, a specialist in Islamic archaeology at Hebrew University, explained that this mosque is the oldest that can be properly excavated. Unlike several other mosques built during the same period that remain in use or have had subsequent structures built atop them, rendering them inaccessible to research, this site provides unique archaeological opportunities.

According to a Times of Israel report from 2021, archaeological excavations in the Tiberias area have been ongoing for approximately the past century. However, Cytryn-Silverman’s excavation provided a fresh perspective on the structure.

In a previous excavation in 1950, the building was believed to be a Byzantine marketplace that later became a mosque. Cytryn-Silverman conducted deeper research, extending her investigation below the floor level.

She successfully determined the building’s age as between 660–680 CE based on coins and pottery discovered at the base of the foundation. The building’s structure also resembled other mosques from the same period, featuring similar dimensions, a columned floor plan, and a qibla.

The discovered mosque stood adjacent to both a synagogue and a Byzantine church. Cytryn-Silverman noted that early Islamic rule in the region demonstrated considerable respect for other religions.

“The early Islamic administration here was very respectful of the residents, who were predominantly Christian, Jewish, and Samaritan,” she explained. “They were not in a rush to express their presence through buildings. They did not destroy other places of worship; rather, they adapted themselves to the society they governed,” she added.