Mosquée Massalikoul Djinâne
History
The mosque has been built by the Mouride Brotherhood -- part of the Sufi strand of Islam that predominates in Senegal, a country with a long tradition of religious tolerance. The mosque's name of Massalikul Jinaan ("The Paths to Paradise") comes from the title of a poem by Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba Mbacke, the 19th-century founder of the Brotherhood, who is revered by followers as a saint.
Urban and Architectural
With a Carrara marble exterior and boasting five minarets -- the tallest 78 meter (255 feet) high -- the mosque has a capacity of 15,000 worshipers inside, and another 15,000 on an outside esplanade. The lavish interiors include a gold-leaf dome, giant chandeliers and decorations hand drawn by Moroccan workmen. An Islamic institute, residence and museum are scheduled to be added in the future. The builders say the mosque is the biggest in West Africa, although the edifice is dwarfed by mosques in the Arab world.
Work on the Massalikul Jinaan mosque, which means "the Paths to Paradise", began a decade ago on a swampy six-hectare site in the poor area of Bopp, on land donated by the government of the majority Muslim nation. The name is derived from the title of a poem by Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba Mbacke, the 19th-century founder of the Brotherhood, who is revered by followers as a Sufi saint.
Based in the city of Touba, the movement is a pillar of Senegal's reputation for religious tolerance. Mouride derives from the Arabic word for "one who desires to learn". The Brotherhood preaches service to humanity and upholding the principles of Islam. The movement also holds considerable economic and political influence in Senegal and in neighboring Gambia.
"With this jewel, we are on a par with what we see in Arab countries and other places in Africa," said Mbackiyou Faye, who co-ordinated the building work. The cost exceeded $33 million (Dh121.2m), all of which came from donations, Mr Faye said. The government provided $11.5m for lighting, sanitation and road works, Infrastructure Minister Oumar Youm said.
Description
The group's leader, Mountakha Mbacke, received a stream of religious, traditional and political leaders in the run up to the inauguration, and the ceremonies were to be attended by President Macky Sall. The Mourides are one of four important Sufi brotherhoods followed by Senegal's Muslims, who overwhelmingly practice a moderate version of Islam while following the teachings of local spiritual guides. The mosque will be inaugurated in the presence of President Macky Sall. An Islamic institute, residence and museum are to be added in the future.
References
https://www.voanews.com/africa/huge-crowds-inauguration-senegals-mega-mosque
https://gulfnews.com/world/africa/huge-crowds-for-inauguration-of-senegals-massalikul-jinaan-mega-mosque-1.1569596683693
https://www.thenational.ae/world/africa/biggest-mosque-in-west-africa-to-open-in-senegal-1.915231
Details
الموقع
Centre Bopp, Dakar, Senegal
عدد المصليين
30000
تاريخ البناء
2019
الرسومات المعمارية
الخريطة
History
The mosque has been built by the Mouride Brotherhood -- part of the Sufi strand of Islam that predominates in Senegal, a country with a long tradition of religious tolerance. The mosque's name of Massalikul Jinaan ("The Paths to Paradise") comes from the title of a poem by Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba Mbacke, the 19th-century founder of the Brotherhood, who is revered by followers as a saint.
Urban and Architectural
With a Carrara marble exterior and boasting five minarets -- the tallest 78 meter (255 feet) high -- the mosque has a capacity of 15,000 worshipers inside, and another 15,000 on an outside esplanade. The lavish interiors include a gold-leaf dome, giant chandeliers and decorations hand drawn by Moroccan workmen. An Islamic institute, residence and museum are scheduled to be added in the future. The builders say the mosque is the biggest in West Africa, although the edifice is dwarfed by mosques in the Arab world.
Work on the Massalikul Jinaan mosque, which means "the Paths to Paradise", began a decade ago on a swampy six-hectare site in the poor area of Bopp, on land donated by the government of the majority Muslim nation. The name is derived from the title of a poem by Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba Mbacke, the 19th-century founder of the Brotherhood, who is revered by followers as a Sufi saint.
Based in the city of Touba, the movement is a pillar of Senegal's reputation for religious tolerance. Mouride derives from the Arabic word for "one who desires to learn". The Brotherhood preaches service to humanity and upholding the principles of Islam. The movement also holds considerable economic and political influence in Senegal and in neighboring Gambia.
"With this jewel, we are on a par with what we see in Arab countries and other places in Africa," said Mbackiyou Faye, who co-ordinated the building work. The cost exceeded $33 million (Dh121.2m), all of which came from donations, Mr Faye said. The government provided $11.5m for lighting, sanitation and road works, Infrastructure Minister Oumar Youm said.
Description
The group's leader, Mountakha Mbacke, received a stream of religious, traditional and political leaders in the run up to the inauguration, and the ceremonies were to be attended by President Macky Sall. The Mourides are one of four important Sufi brotherhoods followed by Senegal's Muslims, who overwhelmingly practice a moderate version of Islam while following the teachings of local spiritual guides. The mosque will be inaugurated in the presence of President Macky Sall. An Islamic institute, residence and museum are to be added in the future.