Ghana National Mosque

Last updated

Ghana National Mosque
Ghana National Mosque Complex.jpg
Religion
Affiliation Sunni Islam
Ecclesiastical or organisational status National mosque
StatusActive
Location
Location Accra
Country Ghana
Ghana physical map.svg
Red pog.svg
Shown within Ghana
Ghana National Mosque
Interactive map of Ghana National Mosque
Coordinates 5°35′26.5″N0°11′22.5″W / 5.590694°N 0.189583°W / 5.590694; -0.189583
Architecture
TypeMosque
Style Ottoman Revival
Funded by
Groundbreaking2012
Completed2021
Construction cost US$10 million
Specifications
Capacity15,000 worshipers
Domes
  • 1 (main)
  • Many (others)
Minaret 4
Minaret height65 m (213 ft)
Site area17 ha (42 acres)
Materials Carrara marble; stained glass

The Ghana National Mosque is a mosque and Islamic complex in Accra, the capital city of Ghana; and has served as the national mosque for the country since 2021. [1] [2] With capacity for 15,000 worshipers, it is the second largest mosque in West Africa. [3]

Contents

Built at a cost of US$ 10 million, [4] the mosque was funded by the Turkish Hudai Foundation in Accra with the support of the Turkish Government. [5] Located at Kanda (Kawukudi) in Accra, [6] the complex includes a residence for the imam, a madrasa and a library. [7] [2]

History

The construction began in 2012. [7] Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, in a speech at the official opening, claimed Jerry John Rawlings and others helped in the securing of the land for the realization of the project for Muslims in Ghana. [6] In 1995, Rawlings gave out the land to replace a mosque he destroyed for the building of Rawlings Park in Accra. The project was started by the Muslim Community in Ghana and was abandoned close to 10 years because of lack of funds. [8]

The mosque was officially opened on 16 July 2021 by Nana Akufo-Addo. [9] [10] Also present were president Mohammed Bazoum and former president Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger, Mahamudu Bawumia, Fuat Oktay, Ali Erbas, and Osman Nuhu Sharubutu. [3] [9] [11]

Architecture

The mosque is built in an Ottoman Revival style with four signature minarets that are approximately 65 metres (213 ft) high, that can be seen from many parts of Accra. It is claimed to be a replica of the Blue Mosque. [3] It is made of Carrara marble exterior fittings. The upper levels of the interior of the mosque are dominated by blue paints, with stained glass windows with designs. The inner decorations are made of hand-drawn calligraphic verses of the Qu'ran. The floors are covered with carpets. The mosque has a mihrab made from sculptured marbles, with a stalactite niche and a double inscriptive panel above it. The exterior feature is arranged with cascade of domes around the main dome. [6]

The mosque has capacity for 15,000 worshipers and is located on a 17-hectare (42-acre) site. It has an office complex for the National Chief Imam, project managers and others; a morgue, a library, a school, dormitories, workers and guests residences; and a fitted clinic with laboratories and a pharmacy. [3] [6] [12]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "President Erdoğan visits Ghana National Mosque". Daily Sabah. March 2, 2016. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Inside the new Ghana national mosque whose completion has delayed since 2016". www.ghanaweb.com. February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Akufo-Addo commissions National Mosque complex". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Turkey funded Ghana national mosque commissioned". Ghana Business News. July 17, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  5. ↑ "MEEX Ghana Mosque" (streaming video and transcript). www.aparchive.com. February 7, 2017. Retrieved January 30, 2021– via Associated Press.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "National Mosque complex opens". Graphic Online. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  7. 1 2 Sinopoli, Antonella (March 1, 2019). "Ghana. The great Mosque of Accra". www.southworld.net. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Ghana National Mosque". Spektra Global. March 11, 2020. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  9. 1 2 "Largest mosque in West Africa opened in Ghana". GhanaWeb. July 16, 2021. Archived from the original on July 19, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Akufo-Addo commissions National Mosque Complex [Photos]". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. July 16, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  11. ↑ "President Akufo-Addo Commissions National Mosque Complex". presidency.gov.gh. Archived from the original on September 25, 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Akufo-Addo commissions Ghana National Mosque at Nima" (photos). Pulse Ghana. July 17, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021.

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