Malindi Mosque

The Malindi Mosque is a house of worship in Stone Town positioned near the harbor, with a square base that anchors several prayer halls within its structure. Its most distinctive feature is a cone-shaped minaret that rises above the surrounding buildings.

The current building was constructed in 1834-1835 by Muhammad ben Abdulkadir al-Mansaby, a merchant from Somalia, possibly on earlier foundations. This era marked a significant moment in Zanzibar's commercial and religious expansion.

The mosque serves as a gathering place where the local community comes together for daily worship and religious observance. It remains central to the rhythm of life in Stone Town, shaping how people use and move through this neighborhood.

Remove your shoes before entering and wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees respectfully. Women should cover their hair with a scarf, and visiting times may be adjusted around the five daily prayer times.

The building is known for its distinctive cone-shaped minaret, a rare architectural form found at only three locations across East Africa. This unusual design stands out noticeably from the traditional cylindrical minarets common throughout the region.