Al Yafi Family Website

2 January 2026

Beirut Archive - Abu AlNaser AlYafi Market

During his reign (1839-1861), the Ottoman Sultan Abdulmejid I granted a plot of land in the heart of present-day Beirut to Sheikh Omar ibn Muhammad al-Yafi, the Damascene leader of the Khalwati Sufi method group, for the purpose of establishing a mosque, a zawiya (Sufi lodge), a house, and a market in 1270 AH (1850 CE). Sheikh Omar entrusted the supervision of this project to his son, Sheikh Muhammad Abu al-Nasr al-Yafi. The market and zawiya bear the name of Sheikh Abu al-Nasr to this day. The mosque and zawiya were later replaced by the Muhammad al-Amin Mosque, which stands today overlooking Martyrs' Square in central Beirut.

It's known that Sheikh Muhammad Abu AlNasser Al-Yafi hosted Prince Abdul Kader AlJazaeri in his home in Beirut in year 1856 for few weeks on his way to his exile in Damascus.

Abu AlNaser AlYafi Market Street

Prince Abdul Kader AlJazaeri

Official Newspaper and Administrative Regulations in Beirut 1326 AH - Beirut Guide

Abu AlNaser AlYafi Market in Beirut 1932

The Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque is located in the center of Beirut and was built on land endowed by Sheikh Mohammad Abu Al-Nasr Al-Yafi. Behind the mosque, the St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral was built, which was expanded on an additional plot of land donated by Sheikh Al-Yafi to the church.

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Dr. Mohamed Fuad Al Yafi

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