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Lagos Central Mosque


History


The Jamat Muslim Council of Lagos, which established an executive council of the Lagos Central Mosque in or around 1905, created the city's first central mosque. After its completion in July 1913, the new mosque provided 70 years of service to the Lagos community.


Soon after the old central mosque's golden jubilee celebration in 1963, plans for a new mosque started to emerge. Some members thought the old mosque was outdated and desired a new, suitable building for da'wa, while others supported an addition to the original building. In the beginning, money was raised in 1973 for the building of an addition to the original mosque and the acquisition of neighboring properties.The proposal was then abandoned since the bulk of the congregation preferred a new structure; the existing mosque was eventually destroyed in 1983.

Urban and Architectural


The mosque has two little and two tall minarets, with the smaller one sitting over the entryway and the larger ones flanking the west and east wings of the structure. About one acre of space is taken up by the buildings, which also occupy 50 meters of Nnamdi Azikiwe. The entry to the new building leads to a riwaq that is highlighted by decorative columns, and next to it is the courtyard or Sahn.

A 750 square meter prayer hall with a central metal dome measuring 15 meters in diameter and standing out from the exterior due to its gold-plated aluminum covering serves the prayer function.

Description


The building has space beneath it for a drive-in garage as well as vaults for notable members and deceased Imams. The structure also includes an office block, a library of general knowledge, an Islamic center, and the Chief Imam's dwelling.

Details

Location

Lagos Central Mosque, 46A Nnamdi Azikwe St, Lagos Island 102273, Lagos, Nigeria

Worshippers

375

Owners

Jamaatul Muslimeen Council of Lagos Central Mosque

Year of Build

1864 (first build), 1913 (second build), 1988 (third and present build)

Area

750

Drawings

Map

History

The Jamat Muslim Council of Lagos, which established an executive council of the Lagos Central Mosque in or around 1905, created the city's first central mosque. After its completion in July 1913, the new mosque provided 70 years of service to the Lagos community.


Soon after the old central mosque's golden jubilee celebration in 1963, plans for a new mosque started to emerge. Some members thought the old mosque was outdated and desired a new, suitable building for da'wa, while others supported an addition to the original building. In the beginning, money was raised in 1973 for the building of an addition to the original mosque and the acquisition of neighboring properties.The proposal was then abandoned since the bulk of the congregation preferred a new structure; the existing mosque was eventually destroyed in 1983.

Urban and Architectural

The mosque has two little and two tall minarets, with the smaller one sitting over the entryway and the larger ones flanking the west and east wings of the structure. About one acre of space is taken up by the buildings, which also occupy 50 meters of Nnamdi Azikiwe. The entry to the new building leads to a riwaq that is highlighted by decorative columns, and next to it is the courtyard or Sahn.

A 750 square meter prayer hall with a central metal dome measuring 15 meters in diameter and standing out from the exterior due to its gold-plated aluminum covering serves the prayer function.

Description

The building has space beneath it for a drive-in garage as well as vaults for notable members and deceased Imams. The structure also includes an office block, a library of general knowledge, an Islamic center, and the Chief Imam's dwelling.