The Sulaymaniyah Grand Mosque (also known as Kak Ahmad Shikh Mosque) is the oldest and most prominent religious and historical site in the center of Sulaymaniyah. The history of its construction coincides with the age of the city itself, having been built just one year after the founding of Sulaymaniyah, and it is currently registered as an official national heritage site.rnrnThe mosque possesses a rich historical and social identity, divided into these main pillars:rnrn1. Construction and Historyrn• Founder: Built in 1784–1785 AD by Ibrahim Pasha of Baban (the founder of the city of Sulaymaniyah), after he moved the capital of his emirate from Qalachwalan to Sulaymaniyah.rn• First Teacher: Sheikh Marof Nodeh was the first supervisor and teacher of the mosque. He transferred the scientific (Ghazai) school from Qalachwalan to this mosque.rn• First Minaret: Built upon the orders of the Ottoman Sultan (Sultan Abdul Hamid II) in 1308 AH. Currently, the mosque has 2 minarets.rnrn2. A Scientific and Social Centerrn• Hujra and Learning: In the past, children and Faqis (religious students) were taught reading, writing, the Holy Quran, and Islamic sciences here before modern schools emerged.rn• Shelter for the Needy (Kitchen): The mosque is known for daily serving free meals to the needy and travelers. On normal days, it prepares meals for 500 to 600 people, and on Fridays and the month of Ramadan, for over 1,500 to 3,000 people.rn• Area: The total area of the mosque, courtyard, and surrounding sections is approximately 7,000 square meters.rnrn3. Shrines and Buried PersonalitiesrnThis mosque holds special spiritual significance as several great historical and religious figures are buried here, including:rn• Kak Ahmad Shikh (a prominent religious figure and leader of the Barzanji Sheikhs).rn• Sheikh Mahmud al-Hafid (the immortal leader of the Kurdish revolution and King of Kurdistan).