Al Nejashi Mosque

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Al Nejashi Mosque
مَسْجِد ٱلنَّجَاشِي
Negash, la moschea sul sito della piu antica moschea d'etiopia, del vii secolo 03.jpg
Religion
Affiliation Islam
Ecclesiastical or organisational status Mosque and mausoleum
StatusActive
Location
Location Negash, Tigray
Country Ethiopia
Location map Ethiopia Tigray.png
Red pog.svg
Location of the mosque in Tigray
Al Nejashi Mosque
Geographic coordinates 13°52′32.0″N39°35′55.3″E / 13.875556°N 39.598694°E / 13.875556; 39.598694
Architecture
TypeMosque
EstablishedAfter 615 CE
Specifications
Dome 1
Minaret 1

Al Nejashi Mosque (Arabic : مَسْجِد ٱلنَّجَاشِي‎, romanized: Masjid an-Najāšī; Amharic : አል ነጃሺ መስጊድ, romanized: āli nejashī mesigīdi) is a mosque and mausoleum located in Negash, in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia.

Contents

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] [ dubious – discuss ] It is named after Najashi, a King of Aksum and Christian leader, who provided refuge for Muslim fleeing persecution. [2] [3] [ better source needed ]

In 2018, the mosque was renovated with funds from Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA). Accommodations, visitor center and toilets were built around the mosque building that were completed by September 2018. [4] In 2021, the mosque was damaged by fighting during the Tigray War. [5] [6] The minaret was destroyed, its dome partially collapsed and its façade was ruined. [7] Soon afterwards, the Government of Ethiopia vowed to repair the building; and in 2024, TIKA announced further funding to complete the final stages of restoration. [8] The restoration was completed during 2025. [9]

Tombs

The mosque complex features a tomb behind the main mosque building. [10] There are 15 tombs attributed to the first immigrants in Islam to Ethiopia. [11]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Hagos, Tsegay (29 April 2021). "Africa's First Mosque Seeks Unesco's Recognition". All Africa. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  2. ↑ Akmel, Hanan (28 April 2025). "Al Nejashi Mosque: Ethiopia Historic Islamic Jewel". aemeromedia.com. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  3. ↑ "The untold story of King Negash and the al Nejashi Mosque". Oman Observer. 18 July 2019.
  4. ↑ Awel, Munira Abdelmenan (26 September 2018). "Turkey restores historic Al-Nejashi mosque in Ethiopia". All Africa. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  5. ↑ "Tigray crisis: Ethiopia to repair al-Nejashi mosque". BBC News. 5 January 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  6. ↑ AFP (30 April 2021). "Heritage sites under siege in Ethiopia's Tigray war". Africa News. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  7. ↑ Zelalem, Zecharias (13 January 2021). "Ethiopia conflict: Outrage over damage to Tigray mosque". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  8. ↑ "Restoring The Historic Al-Nejashi Mosque". What's out, Addis. 27 June 2024. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  9. ↑ "Ethiopia's first mosque repaired after civil war damage". African Press Agency. 9 July 2025. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  10. ↑ "The untold story of King Negash and the Al Nejashi Mosque". Oman Observer. 18 July 2019. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  11. ↑ Elsayed, Yassmine (2 January 2021). "Iconic Nejashi Mosque in Tigray Partially Damaged during Conflict". See News. Retrieved 7 September 2021.

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