Great Mosque of Asmara
| Great Mosque of Asmara | |
|---|---|
جَامِع ٱلْخُلَفَاء ٱلرَّاشِدِيْن | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Islam |
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status | Mosque |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Asmara, Central |
| Country | Eritrea |
Location of the mosque in Eritrea | |
Interactive map of Great Mosque of Asmara | |
| Coordinates | 15°20′20″N 38°56′30″E / 15.33889°N 38.94167°E |
| Architecture | |
| Architect | Guido Ferrazza |
| Type | Mosque |
| Style | |
| Founder | Benito Mussolini |
| Completed | 1938 |
| Specifications | |
| Dome | 3 (maybe more) |
| Minaret | 1 |
| Materials | Dekemhare travertine, Carrara marble, black stone |
The Great Mosque of Asmara; also known as Al Kulafah Al Rashidan, Al Kulafah Al Rashidin, Al Kuaka Al Rashidin or Al Khulafa Al Rashiudin (Arabic: جَامِع ٱلْخُلَفَاء ٱلرَّاشِدِيْن, romanized: Jāmiʿ al-Khulafāʾ ar-Rāshidīn, lit. 'Mosque of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs'); is a mosque located in the center of Asmara, the capital city of Eritrea.[1] It is considered one of the three prominent edifices of the city, along with Church of Our Lady of the Rosary and Enda Mariam Coptic Cathedral.[2] Designed by Guido Ferrazza, it was built in 1938 on the initiative of Benito Mussolini, to impress the Muslim population, who comprise approximately half of the local population.[3]: 189 The Arabic phrase al-Khulafā’ ar-Rāshidīn can mean "followers of the right path".[4]: 36
The mosque is located within Asmara City that, in 2017, became the first modernist city to be added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.[5]
Overview
Completed in 1936, the huge mosque complex is a combination of rational, classical and Islamic styles. The interior of the mosque is open only to Muslims, and people of all faiths are allowed to enter through the main entrance.[6]
Architecture
The mosque was designed by Guido Ferrazza in a blend of the Rationalist, Neoclassical, and Islamic architectural styles.[7][8] The minaret at its end, fluted and of Roman design, is visible from all parts of the city. It has two platforms and two balconies of the Italian rococo or late baroque style. Below the minaret, the mosque's fascia has a neoclassical loggia (exterior galleries), which is split in three parts. The building's double columns are made from Dekemhare travertine and are fitted with capitals made of Carrara marble.[9] Other features include Islamic domes and arches. The mosque's mihrab is made of Carrara marble.[10] Additional marble from the same quarry is used in other areas of this mosque.[7] The front sahn is covered with black stone slabs set in geometrical design.[2]
The Eritrean mosque serves as a symbol of national unity for the country's 42% Sunni Muslims, who, from different parts of the country, regularly come to the mosque for prayers, and the participation is significant during the month of Ramadan and the Friday prayers.[11]
See also
References
- ^ Fuller, Mia (January 24, 2007). Moderns Abroad: Architecture, Cities and Italian Imperialism. Routledge. p. 91. ISBN 978-1-134-64830-6.
- ^ a b "Religious sites of Asmara (1)". asmera.nl. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
- ^ Griswold, Eliza (February 3, 2011). The Tenth Parallel: Dispatches from the Faultline Between Christianity and Islam. Penguin Books Limited. ISBN 978-1-84614-422-6.
- ^ Starbird, Caroline; Bahrenburg, Amy (January 1, 2004). Step Into Africa. University of Denver, CTIR. ISBN 978-0-943804-87-3.
- ^ Wainwright, Oliver (July 8, 2017). "The Italian architecture that shaped new world heritage site Asmara". The Guardian. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
- ^ "Great Mosque | Asmara, Eritrea Attractions". Lonely Planet. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
- ^ a b Columbus World Travel Guide, 2004–2005. Highbury Columbus Travel Pub. December 1, 2004. p. 244. ISBN 978-1-902221-84-7.
- ^ Connell, Dan; Killion, Tom (October 14, 2010). Historical Dictionary of Eritrea. Scarecrow Press. p. 78. ISBN 978-0-8108-7505-0.
- ^ Cantalupo, Charles (January 1, 2012). Joining Africa: From Anthills to Asmara. MSU Press. p. 145. ISBN 978-1-60917-313-5.
- ^ Carillet, Jean-Bernard; Butler, Stuart; Starnes, Dean (2009). Ethiopia & Eritrea. Lonely Planet. p. 322. ISBN 978-1-74104-814-8.
- ^ "Religious Faith And Persecution In Eritrea". WorldAtlas. April 25, 2017. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
External links
Media related to Grand Mosque (Asmara) at Wikimedia Commons