The mosque is dedicated to Abū Abdallāh al-Shūdhī, known as Sīdī al-Halwī, a qadi from Seville who came to Tlemcen in the late 13th century.

[3][4] Following the rehabilitation of his reputation, the Marinid sultan Abu Inan erected this religious complex next to his mausoleum in 1353 or 1354 (754 AH).

[2][5] The historical complex consists of a mosque, the tomb of Sidi el Haloui built next to it, and an ablutions facility across the road.

The mosque's minaret, approximately 25 metres high, stands at the northwest corner and its façades are decorated by interlacing sebka motifs.

The rest of the mosque's original decoration, around the arches of the prayer hall and the outer entrance portal, has not been preserved.