| Masjid al-Qiblatayn (Arabic: مَـسْـجِـد الْـقِـبْـلَـتَـيْـن) "Masjidka labada qibla" "Mosque of the two Qiblahs" | |
|---|---|
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Islam |
| Region | Horn of Africa |
| Location | |
| Location | Zeila, Awdal, Somaliland. |
.svg.png.webp)  Shown within Somaliland | |
| Geographic coordinates | 11°21′14″N 43°28′26″E / 11.35389°N 43.47389°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | mosque |
| Completed | 7th century |
| Minaret(s) | 1 |
Masjid al-Qiblatayn (Somali: masjidka labada qibla, lit. 'Mosque of the two Qiblas'; Arabic: مَـسْـجِـد الْـقِـبْـلَـتَـيْـن) is a mosque in Zeila, situated in the western Awdal region of Somaliland
Description and history
The mosque was probably built in the 7th century CE shortly after the hijrah, the migration of the early followers of Muhammad to Abyssinia.[1] According to locals, it is the oldest mosque in the city.[2] The mosque's name means 'mosque of the two qiblahs', referring to its two mihrabs. According to tradition, one of the mihrabs was oriented north toward Mecca and the other northwest toward Jerusalem.[2]
As of 2011, the building is largely in ruins and only one mihrab, oriented northward, was visible. The remains of another structure nearby are visible, possibly indicating that the mosque underwent two different phases of construction. It also contains the tomb of a sheikh named Babu Dena.[2]
Influence of the companions
The construction of this mosque is tied to the history of Islam in Somalia. The mosque is known as the site of where early companions (sahaba) of Muhammad established a mosque shortly after the first migration to Abyssinia.[1]
See also
References
- 1 2 Briggs, Phillip (2012). Somaliland: With Addis Ababa & Eastern Ethiopia. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 7. ISBN 978-1841623719.
- 1 2 3 Fauvelle-Aymar, François-Xavier; Hirsch, Bertrand; Bernard, Régis; Champagne, Frédéric (2011). "Le port de Zeyla et son arrière-pays au Moyen Âge: Investigations archéologiques et retour aux sources écrites". In Fauvelle-Aymar, François-Xavier; Hirsch, Bertrand (eds.). Espaces musulmans de la Corne de l’Afrique au Moyen Âge (in French). Addis Ababa: Centre français des études éthiopiennes. pp. 27–74. ISBN 9782821882652.