Fakr ad-Din Mosque, Islamic mosque in Hamar Weyne District, Mogadishu, Somalia
Fakr ad-Din Mosque is a prayer building with a rectangular base and two distinctive towers—one round and one hexagonal—made from stone, Indian marble, and coral materials. The two cone-shaped roofs form the defining feature of the structure and remain visible from the harbor area.
The building was founded in 969 by Sultan Fakr ad-Din and stands as the oldest mosque in Mogadishu. It ranks among the seven oldest mosques on the African continent and marks the early spread of Islam in the region.
The mosque displays traditional Islamic architectural details with a curved mihrab and marble Quranic verses on its outer walls that visitors notice upon arrival. These decorative elements show the spiritual importance of the place and the craftsmanship that went into its creation.
The site functions as an active prayer house with regular prayer times in the Hamar Weyne neighborhood. Visitors should be prepared for traditional prayer schedules and observe the practices on site.
Late 19th-century photographs reveal how the twin cone towers once dominated the harbor district profile and were visible to approaching ships at port. This distinctive feature made the building an identifiable landmark of Mogadishu long before modern structures appeared.
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