Al-Qadmous is an historic city with important reference points for the Ismaili community. Currently Qadmous has over 8000 residents and has an important Ismaili presence of both Jamaati and Mominshahi communities. Among the historic sites of the city, the Mosque of ‘Imam Hassan Jalal Al-Din’ located in the old city, adjacent to the Souk, the Home of Imam Sinan Rashid al-Din located in the Citadel, and Shrine of Mawla Hassan, located in a mountain top (1150m) surrounded by a forest of cedar and cypress trees, had important structural damage (following February 2023 earthquake) that need to be addressed for the safety of the inhabitants, and to preserve the historical identity of these communities.
Imam Hassan Jalal Al-Din Mosque Restoration
Following the earthquake and assessments, there was important damage registered at the Imam Hassan Jalal al-Din Mosque. There were fractures in the Minaret of the Mosque (long and relatively large fractures (with an overall tilt and outward expansion of its south facing side, along with the displacement of some of the stones. There is also a fracture of about 2 meters in length, and 1 centimetre in with above the easter window of the exterior southern façade, and gaps in the grout filling between the stones in separate places on the interior walls. These damages are a cause of concern for the users of the mosque and the public in general.
The rehabilitation interventions included the immediate support of the minaret to ensure public safety; dismantling of the stones making up the minaret after numbering them and rebuild the minaret; accordingly, securing the stones in the fracture above the eastern window, and restoration of damaged grouts. These works were well be coordinated with the Department of Antiquities in Tartous for technical and restorative specifications in place to ensure that the historic and aesthetic values of the mosque were preserved.
