Abu Darwish Mosque in Ashrafiyeh

So I ended up walking to the top of the hill that the Ashrafiyeh neighborhood sprawls out over. I really wanted to see the Abu Darwish, or Black and White Mosque. It was built in 1961 with this very interesting design. I haven’t been able to figure out who Abu Darwish or Darwish were. In Arab cultures it is customary to take on a nickname when you have your first child. So Abu Darwish is the “Father of Darwish.” If you know you Islamic history you’ve heard of Abu Bakr. He was the “Father of Bakr.” The cool thing is that Victoria and I will be Abu and Umm Nuh (Arabic for Noah) – or the Father & Mother of Peace. (If Noah meand peace in Arabic like it does in English/Hebrew – will have to check it out.)

I tried to take advantage of the light from the setting sun. Also note the green lights on the minaret. IN Islam Green is the color of heaven and the minarets point to heaven.