Jamia Mosque in Nairobi is one of Kenya's most significant religious buildings and a prominent landmark in the city's Central Business District. It's a key center for Islamic practice and a hub for the Muslim community in East and Central Africa. History Founding: The mosque was founded in 1902 by Syed Maulana Abdullah Shah. Construction: The main construction took place between 1925 and 1933. Growth and Modernization: Over the years, the mosque has been expanded and modernized. A modern wing was added in 1998, which includes a large library and a multi-purpose hall. Architecture The Jamia Mosque is known for its classic Arabic Islamic architectural style. Key features include: Domes and Minarets: It is easily recognizable by its three silver domes and twin minarets. Materials: The mosque makes extensive use of white marble, and its walls are made of smooth dressed stone with ceramic tile cladding. Inscriptions: The building is adorned with extensive inscriptions from the Quran. Revenue Generation: A traditional row of shops, including a clinic and pharmacy, is located along one side of the mosque, providing rental income for its upkeep. Role in the Community Beyond being a place of worship, Jamia Mosque plays a vital role in Nairobi's Muslim community. Education: It houses a training institute where people can learn Arabic, introductory computing, and cloth making. Social Hub: It serves as a meeting place for Muslim religious, political, and opinion leaders to discuss community affairs. Information: It publishes a weekly newsletter called "The Friday Bulletin." Visiting the Mosque Location: The mosque is located on Banda Street, Nairobi, in the Central Business District. Dress Code: Visitors are expected to dress modestly. Women should cover their hair, shoulders, and legs, and men should avoid wearing shorts. Prayer Times: Non-Muslim visitors are generally allowed in certain areas but are advised to avoid visiting during prayer times, especially the crowded...
Read moreThought would be an enjoyable visited ended up scammed by 2 men. When I entered the mosque, was welcomed by a man (I think he is the security) wearing a shirt and something like a maroon sleeveless vest with 4 numbers on the shoulder plate area. He was so friendly asked me where I was from and brought me around the mosque. I declined politely and he insisted, and almost toured the downstairs and upstairs of the entire mosque and even tried to explain every poster and painting on the wall, brought me to see the admin offices and the library. I thought I would spend like 10 minutes but ended up staying for an hour. Just before I was about to leave, he signaled for another guy to approach and the guy came forward and handled me a piece of paper and asked for donation. It seemed like a useless piece of paper with names of people and amount, with people like giving 3000-4000 Shillings. I wanted to give 1000 and he said it was too little, so I ended up giving 1500, and they had the audacity to split the money in front of me 1 took 1000 and the other 500 and placed into their pockets. Then the security asked me if I would like to tip him for the tour. I was thinking how much I should tip him, so I looked into my money pouch and started to dig the small notes. He probably heard me swiping the notes with my fingers and then he just suddenly pulled my hand out and grabbed whatever amount was on my hand and said thank you. What a HORRIBLE experience to be doing such things in the house of God! Tourists place exercise caution and reject any requests to be brought around, and donation should be done in boxes and not any piece of paper which...
Read moreJamia Mosque is a mosque located on Banda Street, Nairobi, Kenya in the Central Business District. The mosque is one of Kenya's most prominent religious structures, and the most important mosque in the country. It was founded and first built by Syed Maulana Abdullah Shah between 1902 and 1906. He was a very pious man and up to today he is remembered every year by Muslims. The Mosque has been extended since its original construction.The Current Chairman Of Jamia Mosque Committee and the MajlisAlUlama Of Kenya is Sheikh Syed Fathahuddin Thangal. The Jamia Mosque retains a classic Arabic Muslim architectural style with extensive use of marble and inscriptions from the Quran, and the traditional row of shops (including a clinic and pharmacy) down one side to provide rental income for its upkeep. It is recognisable by its 3 silver domes, and two twin minarets. It contains a library and a training institute where one can learn Arabic, introductory computing and...
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