Jama'a Xamar Weyne, Xamar Weyne
Xamar Weyne's Friday Mosque (Jamacaha Xamar Weyne in Somali) is said to be one of the oldest mosques in Mogadishu and in Africa.[1]
Jama'a Xamar Weyne | |
---|---|
Religion | |
Affiliation | Islam |
Location | |
Location | Xamar Weyne, Mogadishu Somalia |
Architecture | |
Type | Mosque |
Completed | 636 AH (1238 CE) |
Overview
Jama’a Hamar Weyne was built in the year 636 AH (1238 CE), some 30 years before Faqrudiin and Arba’a Rukun - both were built in the year 667 AH (1269 CE). [2] Historically, Jamacaha Xamar Weyne is the most important building in the historical quarter of Xamar Weyne. It is situated about equidistant from the sea to the east and to the south; the floor of the mosques is (as estimated by eye) two metres or a little less below the level of the ground outside. Mogadishu has 3 of the oldest mosques on the East African coast, attested to their inscriptions inside the mosques; Jamaa' Hamar Weyne Arbaca Rukun and Fakr ad-Din. According to the locals the mosque was originally called Mohamed al-Awal (which translates to Mohamed the first) and was built during a period where Mogadishu was rule by Mohamed Ali, during this period the mosque Mohamed Al Tani (which translate to Mohamed the second) was built as well.[3] The mosque is currently lies 2m under the current ground level and stair access is needed to get into the main prayer hall[4]
See also
References
- Adam, Anita. Benadiri People of Somalia with Particular Reference to the Reer Hamar of Mogadishu. pp. 204–205.
- Adam, Anita. "Benadiri People of Somalia with Particular Reference to the Reer Hamar of Mogadishu": 59.
- Aydarus, Sharif. Bughyat al-amal fi tarikh al-sumal. pp. 83–86.
- Jama, Ahmed. The Origins and Development of Mogadishu AD 1000 to 1850, A study of urban growth along the Benadir coast of southern Somalia. p. 62.