Agadez Mosque

Agadez Mosque
Mosquée d'Agadez
Religion
Affiliation	Islam
Branch/tradition	Sunni
Location
Location	Agadez, Tchirozerine, Niger
Shown within Niger
Geographic coordinates	16°58′27.0″N 7°59′18.2″E
Architecture
Type	mosque
Date established	1515

Agadez Mosque (French: Mosquée d'Agadez) is a prominent mosque in Agadez, Tchirozerine Department, Niger.^[1] It was made of clay and is the tallest mud-brick structure in the world.^[2] The Agadez mosque is the most prominent religious center located in the central part of the Republic of the Niger, and has been a place of worship for centuries.^[3]

The mosque hosts thousands of Muslims for Friday's prayers. Every year, Muslims travel long distance to visit the mosque for tourism and spiritual purposes.

History

The mosque was built in 1515 at the time when the city was captured by the Songhai Empire. It was restored and some of it was rebuilt in 1844.^[4][5]

This mosque was built by Imam Bakhili, a famous Muslim scholar, who originated from the Algeria region. Legend has it that he built this mosque in a single night between Isha prayer and dawn.^[6]

Due to the mosque bearing some resemblance to the construction techniques used in structures around Timbuktu, it is believed that the Tuareg people went there in order to learn the architectural techniques for the construction of the mosque. By using local available materials, which were dried in the sun, the builders created a long-lasting durable structure.

The central shrine in Agadez is accompanied by a minaret which is some 27 meters (89 feet) tall, making it the tallest ever constructed of mud brick. The mosque serves as a compass for the people to get around the city, and at one point of time throughout its history, served as a watchtower.^[3]

The mosque is a beacon of the long-running history of the city that has survived the harsh desert environment.^[3]

See also

• Lists of mosques
• List of mosques in Africa
• West African Mosques

References

1. Pavils, Gatis (2013-11-01). "Agadez Mosque". Wondermondo. Retrieved 2018-12-19.
2. Taub, Ben (April 10, 2017). "The Desperate Journey of a Trafficked Girl". The New Yorker. Archived from the original on April 3, 2017. Most Nigerian brothels in Agadez are in the Nasarawa slum, a sewage-filled neighborhood a short walk from the grand mosque, the tallest mud-brick structure in the world.
3. "Agadez Mosque |". 23 May 2018. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
4. "Historic Centre of Agadez". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 2018-12-19.
5. "Historic Centre of Agadez - Niger | African World Heritage Sites". www.africanworldheritagesites.org. Retrieved 2018-12-19.
6. "Agadez Mosque World Heritage - video Dailymotion". Dailymotion. 2 December 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2023.