Sidi El Haloui Mosque: A Marinid Masterpiece in Tlemcen

The Sidi El Haloui Mosque stands as a testament to Tlemcen's rich Islamic heritage. Constructed in 1353-1354 by Marinid Sultan Abu Inan, the mosque is dedicated to Sidi el-Haloui, a qadi (judge) from Seville who arrived in Tlemcen in the late 13th century. Sidi el-Haloui faced accusations of sorcery and was executed, but his reputation was later restored, leading to the construction of this religious complex near his mausoleum. The mosque's architecture is inspired by the Sidi Boumediene Mosque and showcases classic Marinid design. The complex originally included a mosque, the tomb of Sidi el Haloui, an ablutions facility, a madrasa, and a zawiya. While the madrasa and zawiya no longer exist, the mosque, tomb, and ablutions hall remain. The ablutions hall features a central dome. The mosque features a square courtyard (sahn) with a central fountain, surrounded by an arcaded gallery (riwaq). The prayer hall, a hypostyle hall divided into five naves by pointed horseshoe arches, lies on the south side. Unlike the Sidi Boumediene Mosque, the arches are supported by onyx columns, likely taken from the Palace of Victory at al-Mansourah. The mihrab, a hexagonal niche covered by a muqarnas cupola, is located in the middle of the southeast wall. The minaret, standing 25 meters high at the northwest corner, is decorated with interlacing sebka motifs.