This mosque was built in the 11th century by the Ibadite muslims who follow the Quran more scrupulously than most muslims. They were extremely strict in their religious practices, and their ascetic and highly puritan ways were very much reflected in the austerity of their mosques. I had a difficult time photographing this mosque - it was raining and my lens was constantly getting wet. The compound was very small and the perimeter walls were very close. I couldn't get back far enough to get the whole mosque in with my lens, but I think I managed to capture the essence of this mosque. The well in the foreground which represents water, the giver of life, is an important analogy of what Islam is to the Ibadites, and by shooting from this angle, I've captured the solidity and strength of this building, the same qualities that are deeply rooted in the practice of their faith.