The Ummayad Mosque, also known as the Grand Mosque of Damascus , is one of the largest and oldest mosques in the world. Located in one of the holiest sites in the old city of Damascus, it is of great architectural importance.

The mosque holds a shrine which is said to contain the head of John the Baptist, honored as a prophet by Muslims and Christians alike. There are also many important landmarks within the mosque for the Shî‘ah, among them is the place where the head of Husayn (the grandson of Muhammad) was kept on display by Yazîd I. There is also the tomb of Saladin (a famous warrior that led the Muslims against the Crusaders), which stands in a small garden adjoining the north wall of the mosque.