Al Nejashi Mosque: Difference between revisions

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”’Al Nejashi Mosque”’ ({{langx|ar|{{Script|Arab|مَسْجِد ٱلنَّجَاشِي}}|Masjid an-Najāšī}}; {{Langx|am|አል ነጃሺ መስጊድ|āli nejashī mesigīdi}}) is a [[mosque]] and [[mausoleum]], located in [[Negash]], in the [[Tigray Region]] of [[Ethiopia]]. Established in the early part of the 7th century [[Common Era|CE]], it is believed to be one of the [[List of the oldest mosques#Africa|oldest mosque in Africa]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Yassin, Ahmed J. |url=https://sii1991.org/al-nejashi-mosque-in-ethiopia-1st-in-africa-2nd-in-world/ |title=Al Nejashi Mosque, Ethiopia: 1st in Africa & 2nd in World |work=Somaliland Intellectuals Institute |date=3 May 2023 |access-date=5 November 2025 }}</ref>

”’Al Nejashi Mosque”’ ({{langx|ar|{{Script|Arab|مَسْجِد ٱلنَّجَاشِي}}|Masjid an-Najāšī}}; {{Langx|am|አል ነጃሺ መስጊድ|āli nejashī mesigīdi}}) is a [[mosque]] and [[mausoleum]] located in [[Negash]], in the [[Tigray Region]] of [[Ethiopia]].

== Overview ==

== ==

The mosque was established after 615 CE, when the first Muslims are said to have [[Migration to Abyssinia|migrated to Abyssinia]] during the reign of [[Najashi]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Hagos |first=Tsegay |date=29 April 2021 |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/202104290673.html|title=Africa’s First Mosque Seeks Unesco’s Recognition |work=All Africa |access-date=7 September 2021}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]). This is also an exceptional claim and requires much more support.|date=January 2024}} It is named after Najashi, a [[Kingdom of Aksum|King of Aksum]] and [[Christianity|Christian]] leader, who provided refuge for Muslim fleeing persecution.<ref>{{cite news |author=Akmel, Hanan |url=https://aemeromedia.com/al-nejashi-mosque/ |title=Al Nejashi Mosque: Ethiopia Historic Islamic Jewel |work=aemeromedia.com |date=28 April 2025 |access-date=5 November 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=18 July 2019 |title=The untold story of King Negash and the al Nejashi Mosque |url=https://www.omanobserver.om/article/28253/Features/the-untold-story-of-king-negash-and-the-al-nejashi-mosque |website=Oman Observer}}</ref>

The mosque was established after 615 CE, when the first Muslims are said to have [[Migration to Abyssinia|migrated to Abyssinia]] during the reign of [[Najashi]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Hagos |first=Tsegay |date=29 April 2021 |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/202104290673.html|title=Africa’s First Mosque Seeks Unesco’s Recognition |work=All Africa |access-date=7 September 2021}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]). This is also an exceptional claim and requires much more support.|date=January 2024}} It is named after Najashi, a [[Kingdom of Aksum|King of Aksum]] and [[Christianity|Christian]] leader, who provided refuge for Muslim fleeing persecution.<ref>{{cite news |author=Akmel, Hanan |url=https://aemeromedia.com/al-nejashi-mosque/ |title=Al Nejashi Mosque: Ethiopia Historic Islamic Jewel |work=aemeromedia.com |date=28 April 2025 |access-date=5 November 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=18 July 2019 |title=The untold story of King Negash and the al Nejashi Mosque |url=https://www.omanobserver.om/article/28253/Features/the-untold-story-of-king-negash-and-the-al-nejashi-mosque |website=Oman Observer}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite news |last=Awel |first=Munira Abdelmenan |date=26 September 2018 |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/turkey-restores-historic-al-nejashi-mosque-in-ethiopia/1265374 |title=Turkey restores historic Al-Nejashi mosque in Ethiopia |work=All Africa |access-date=7 September 2021}}</ref> In 2021, the mosque was damaged by fighting during the [[Tigray War]].<ref>{{cite news|date=5 January 2021|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-55530355|title=Tigray crisis: Ethiopia to repair al-Nejashi mosque|work=BBC News|access-date=7 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=AFP|date=30 April 2021|url=https://www.africanews.com/2021/04/30/heritage-sites-under-siege-in-ethiopia-s-tigray-war//|title=Heritage sites under siege in Ethiopia’s Tigray war|work=Africa News|access-date=7 September 2021}}</ref> The minaret was destroyed, its dome partially collapsed and its façade was ruined.<ref>{{cite news |last=Zelalem |first=Zecharias |date=13 January 2021 |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/ethiopia-tigray-nejashi-mosque-conflict-damage |title=Ethiopia conflict: Outrage over damage to Tigray mosque |work=Middle East Eye |access-date=7 September 2021}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.whatsoutaddis.com/restoring-the-historic-al-nejashi-mosque/ |title=Restoring The Historic Al-Nejashi Mosque |work=What’s out, Addis |date=27 June 2024 |access-date=5 November 2025 }}</ref> The restoration was completed during 2025.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://apanews.net/ethiopias-first-mosque-repaired-after-civil-war-damage/ |title=Ethiopia’s first mosque repaired after civil war damage |work=African Press Agency |date=9 July 2025 |access-date=5 November 2025 }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite news |last=Awel |first=Munira Abdelmenan |date=26 September 2018 |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/turkey-restores-historic-al-nejashi-mosque-in-ethiopia/1265374 |title=Turkey restores historic Al-Nejashi mosque in Ethiopia |work=All Africa |access-date=7 September 2021}}</ref> In 2021, the mosque was damaged by fighting during the [[Tigray War]].<ref>{{cite news|date=5 January 2021|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-55530355|title=Tigray crisis: Ethiopia to repair al-Nejashi mosque|work=BBC News|access-date=7 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=AFP|date=30 April 2021|url=https://www.africanews.com/2021/04/30/heritage-sites-under-siege-in-ethiopia-s-tigray-war//|title=Heritage sites under siege in Ethiopia’s Tigray war|work=Africa News|access-date=7 September 2021}}</ref> The minaret was destroyed, its dome partially collapsed and its façade was ruined.<ref>{{cite news |last=Zelalem |first=Zecharias |date=13 January 2021 |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/ethiopia-tigray-nejashi-mosque-conflict-damage |title=Ethiopia conflict: Outrage over damage to Tigray mosque |work=Middle East Eye |access-date=7 September 2021}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.whatsoutaddis.com/restoring-the-historic-al-nejashi-mosque/ |title=Restoring The Historic Al-Nejashi Mosque |work=What’s out, Addis |date=27 June 2024 |access-date=5 November 2025 }}</ref> The restoration was completed during 2025.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://apanews.net/ethiopias-first-mosque-repaired-after-civil-war-damage/ |title=Ethiopia’s first mosque repaired after civil war damage |work=African Press Agency |date=9 July 2025 |access-date=5 November 2025 }}</ref>

== Architecture ==

The mosque complex features a tomb behind the main mosque building.<ref>{{cite news |date=18 July 2019 |url=https://www.omanobserver.om/article/28253/Features/the-untold-story-of-king-negash-and-the-al-nejashi-mosque |title=The untold story of King Negash and the Al Nejashi Mosque |work=Oman Observer |access-date=7 September 2021}}</ref> There are 15 tombs attributed to the [[Migration to Abyssinia|first immigrants in Islam to Ethiopia]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Elsayed |first=Yassmine |date=2 January 2021 |url=https://see.news/iconic-nejashi-mosque-in-tigray-partially-damaged/ |title=Iconic Nejashi Mosque in Tigray Partially Damaged during Conflict |work=See News |access-date=7 September 2021}}</ref>

The mosque complex features a tomb behind the main mosque building.<ref>{{cite news |date=18 July 2019 |url=https://www.omanobserver.om/article/28253/Features/the-untold-story-of-king-negash-and-the-al-nejashi-mosque |title=The untold story of King Negash and the Al Nejashi Mosque |work=Oman Observer |access-date=7 September 2021}}</ref> There are 15 tombs attributed to the [[Migration to Abyssinia|first immigrants in Islam to Ethiopia]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Elsayed |first=Yassmine |date=2 January 2021 |url=https://see.news/iconic-nejashi-mosque-in-tigray-partially-damaged/ |title=Iconic Nejashi Mosque in Tigray Partially Damaged during Conflict |work=See News |access-date=7 September 2021}}</ref>

Mosque in Negash, Tigray, Ethiopia

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.

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, 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]

Architecture

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

Media related to Al Nejashi Mosque at Wikimedia Commons

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