Kobe Mosque, Ottoman mosque in Naka-Yamate-dōri, Japan
Kobe Mosque is a three-story structure featuring domes and minarets that reflect Ottoman architectural traditions. The concrete building with its copper-covered roof displays rounded forms and intricate details characteristic of Islamic design.
The mosque was completed in 1935 by architect Jan Josef Švagr, making it the first mosque building in Japan. It survived wartime seizure by the Japanese Imperial Navy and the devastating 1995 earthquake that struck the region.
The mosque serves as a gathering space for the Muslim community in Kobe, welcoming visitors interested in learning about Islamic traditions and practices. People from different backgrounds come together here, creating a space where cultures meet and coexist.
The building is located in an accessible area of the city with several levels offering different spaces inside. Visitors should know that certain times are reserved for prayers and that respectful dress is expected when entering.
The project was funded through donations collected between 1928 and 1935 by the Islamic Committee of Kobe, an unusual example of international religious cooperation during that era. This funding approach demonstrates how different communities came together to make it possible.
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