Al Nejashi Mosque
| Al Nejashi Mosque | |
|---|---|
مَسْجِد ٱلنَّجَاشِي | |
 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Islam |
| Mosque and mausoleum | |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Negash, Tigray |
| Country | Ethiopia |
  Location of the mosque in Tigray | |
 Interactive map of Al Nejashi Mosque | |
| Coordinates | 13°52′32.0″N 39°35′55.3″E / 13.875556°N 39.598694°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Mosque |
| Established | After 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.
History
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ Hagos, Tsegay (29 April 2021). "Africa's First Mosque Seeks Unesco's Recognition". All Africa. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
- ^ Akmel, Hanan (28 April 2025). "Al Nejashi Mosque: Ethiopia Historic Islamic Jewel". aemeromedia.com. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
- ^ "The untold story of King Negash and the al Nejashi Mosque". Oman Observer. 18 July 2019.
- ^ Awel, Munira Abdelmenan (26 September 2018). "Turkey restores historic Al-Nejashi mosque in Ethiopia". All Africa. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
- ^ "Tigray crisis: Ethiopia to repair al-Nejashi mosque". BBC News. 5 January 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
- ^ AFP (30 April 2021). "Heritage sites under siege in Ethiopia's Tigray war". Africa News. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
- ^ Zelalem, Zecharias (13 January 2021). "Ethiopia conflict: Outrage over damage to Tigray mosque". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
- ^ "Restoring The Historic Al-Nejashi Mosque". What's out, Addis. 27 June 2024. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
- ^ "Ethiopia's first mosque repaired after civil war damage". African Press Agency. 9 July 2025. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
- ^ "The untold story of King Negash and the Al Nejashi Mosque". Oman Observer. 18 July 2019. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
- ^ Elsayed, Yassmine (2 January 2021). "Iconic Nejashi Mosque in Tigray Partially Damaged during Conflict". See News. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
External links
[edit]
Media related to Al Nejashi Mosque at Wikimedia Commons
- Al Nejashi Mosque: A Historic Gem of Ethiopian Islamic Architecture (streaming video). YouTube. 2024. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
- "Muslim World League to establish Al-Nejashi Mosque in Ethiopia". Arab News. 20 August 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2025.