Al Nejashi Mosque

Al Nejashi Mosque
Masjid An-Najāšī (مَسْجِد ٱلنَّجَاشِي)
Religion
Affiliation	Islam
Deity	Allah / God
Location
Location	Negash, Tigray, Ethiopia
Shown within Tigray Region Show map of Tigray Region Al Nejashi Mosque (Ethiopia) Show map of Ethiopia Al Nejashi Mosque (Africa) Show map of Africa
Geographic coordinates	13°52′32.0″N39°35′55.3″E / 13.875556°N 39.598694°E / 13.875556; 39.598694
Architecture
Type	Mosque
Date established	After 615 C.E.
Specifications
Dome(s)	1
Minaret(s)	1

Al Nejashi Mosque (Arabic : مَسْجِد ٱلنَّجَاشِي‎, romanized: Masjid an-Najāšī) is a mosque in Negash, in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia.

History

The mosque was established after 615 CE, when the first Muslims are said to have migrated to Abyssinia during the reign of Najashi. ^{[1] [ better source needed ]} It is named after Najashi. ^{[2] [ better source needed ]}

In 2018, the mosque was renovated with funds from Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency. Accommodations, visitor center and toilets were built around the mosque building. Renovation was completed in September 2018. ^[3]

In 2021, the mosque was damaged by fighting during the Tigray War. ^{[4] [5]} The minaret was destroyed, its dome partially collapsed and its façade was ruined. ^[6] Soon afterwards, the Government of Ethiopia vowed to repair the building.

Architecture

The mosque complex features tomb behind the main mosque building. ^[7] There are 15 tombs of the first immigrants in Islam to Ethiopia. ^[8]

See also

• List of mosques
  • List of mosques in Africa
    • Mosque of the Companions in Massawa, Eritrea

References

1. Hagos, Tsegay (29 April 2021). "Africa's First Mosque Seeks Unesco's Recognition". All Africa. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
2. "The untold story of King Negash and the al Nejashi Mosque". Oman Observer. 18 July 2019.
3. Awel, Munira Abdelmenan (26 September 2018). "Turkey restores historic Al-Nejashi mosque in Ethiopia". All Africa. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
4. "Tigray crisis: Ethiopia to repair al-Nejashi mosque". BBC News. 5 January 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
5. AFP (30 April 2021). "Heritage sites under siege in Ethiopia's Tigray war". Africa News. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
6. Zelalem, Zecharias (13 January 2021). "Ethiopia conflict: Outrage over damage to Tigray mosque". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
7. "The untold story of King Negash and the Al Nejashi Mosque". Oman Observer. 18 July 2019. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
8. Elsayed, Yassmine (2 January 2021). "Iconic Nejashi Mosque in Tigray Partially Damaged during Conflict". See News. Retrieved 7 September 2021.