Agadez Mosque
{{Short description|Mosque in Agadez, Tchirozerine, Niger}}
{{Infobox religious building
| name = Agadez Mosque
| native_name = Mosquée d'Agadez
| native_name_lang = fr
| image = 1997 277-9A Agadez mosque cropped.jpg
| image_upright =
| alt = Mud brick minaret
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| map_type = Niger
| map_size = 225px
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| coordinates = {{coord|16|58|27.0|N|7|59|18.2|E|type:landmark_region:NE|display=inline,title}}
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| religious_affiliation = Islam
| locale =
| location = Agadez, Tchirozerine, Niger
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| tradition = Sunni
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| architecture_type = mosque
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| established = 1515
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Agadez Mosque ({{langx|fr|Mosquée d'Agadez}}) is a prominent mosque in Agadez, Tchirozerine Department, Niger.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wondermondo.com/agadez-mosque/|title=Agadez Mosque|last=Pavils|first=Gatis|date=2013-11-01|website=Wondermondo|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-19}} It was made of clay and is the tallest mud-brick structure in the world.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/04/10/the-desperate-journey-of-a-trafficked-girl |magazine=The New Yorker |date=April 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403090127/http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/04/10/the-desperate-journey-of-a-trafficked-girl |archive-date=April 3, 2017 |title=The Desperate Journey of a Trafficked Girl |first=Ben |last=Taub |quote=Most Nigerian brothels in Agadez are in the Nasarawa slum, a sewage-filled neighborhood a short walk from the grand mosque, the tallest mud-brick structure in the world.}} The Agadez mosque is the most prominent religious center located in the central part of the Republic of the Niger, and has been a place of worship for centuries.{{Cite web|url=http://www.alluringworld.com/agadez-mosque/|title=Agadez Mosque ||date=23 May 2018|accessdate=26 March 2023}}
The mosque hosts thousands of Muslims for Friday's prayers. Every year, Muslims travel long distance to visit the mosque for tourism and spiritual purposes.
History
The mosque was built in 1515 at the time when the city was captured by the Songhai Empire. It was restored and some of it was rebuilt in 1844.{{Cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1268/|title=Historic Centre of Agadez|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|language=en|access-date=2018-12-19}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.africanworldheritagesites.org/cultural-places/trans-sahara-trading-routes/historic-centre-of-agadez-niger.html|title=Historic Centre of Agadez - Niger {{!}} African World Heritage Sites|website=www.africanworldheritagesites.org|access-date=2018-12-19}}
This mosque was built by Imam Bakhili, a famous Muslim scholar, who originated from the Algeria region. Legend has it that he built this mosque in a single night between Isha prayer and dawn.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8g02jt|title=Agadez Mosque World Heritage - video Dailymotion|date=2 December 2022|website=Dailymotion|accessdate=26 March 2023}}
Due to the mosque bearing some resemblance to the construction techniques used in structures around Timbuktu, it is believed that the Tuareg people went there in order to learn the architectural techniques for the construction of the mosque. By using local available materials, which were dried in the sun, the builders created a long-lasting durable structure.
The central shrine in Agadez is accompanied by a minaret which is some 27 meters (89 feet) tall, making it the tallest ever constructed of mud brick. The mosque serves as a compass for the people to get around the city, and at one point of time throughout its history, served as a watchtower.
The mosque is a beacon of the long-running history of the city that has survived the harsh desert environment.
See also
References
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{{Mosques in Niger}}
Category:Religious buildings and structures completed in 1515
Category:Sudano-Sahelian architecture
Category:Religious buildings and structures in Niger
Category:Religious organisations based in Niger
Category:16th-century mosques in Africa
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