مسجد عمر ابن الخطاب المطل على عين كعام

Perched above the springs of Ayn Ka'am on the outskirts of Zliten in the Misratah district of north western Libya, the Masjid Umar ibn al Khattab overlooking the Ayn Ka'am springs honours the second caliph of Islam, may God be pleased with him, whose just governance and expansion of Islamic frontiers shaped the early caliphate in the years following the passing of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him and his family. Umar ibn al Khattab is remembered as the commander of the faithful who codified the Islamic calendar based on the Hijra, established the diwan system of state administration, and walked the streets of his capital by night checking on the welfare of his people. Naming mosques after him across the Muslim world expresses admiration for his righteous leadership. Zliten itself is one of the most respected centres of traditional Islamic learning in Libya, famous for the shrine and associated institutions of Shaykh Abd al Salam al Asmar, may God have mercy upon him, a scholar whose followers have preserved a distinctive Libyan scholarly and devotional culture. The town lies on the coastal highway between Tripoli and Misrata, a fertile farming region producing olives, citrus, and dates. Ayn Ka'am is one of the natural springs that have long sustained the surrounding farmlands and orchards. Architecturally the Masjid Umar ibn al Khattab follows the Libyan coastal idiom, whitewashed plastered walls, a low central dome, a square minaret in the North African tradition, and simple arched openings along the courtyard. The mihrab is finished in carved plaster with Quranic calligraphy, and the qiblah wall bears inscriptions of the shahadatayn. Daily prayers are observed punctually, Jumu'ah draws a large gathering, and Ramadan sees long nights of taraweeh and tahajjud. The two Eid congregations overflow into the courtyard and the adjoining plaza near the spring. Regular Quran classes and study circles continue the scholarly traditions that make Zliten a distinguished centre of learning within the Libyan religious landscape. Olive harvesters resting from their labours beside the nearby spring often climb its short flight of steps to offer asr before returning to their laden baskets.