Gaddafi National Mosque | Gaddafi Mosque tour | History & Location
The Gaddafi Mosque, also known as the Uganda National Mosque, is a prominent landmark in the capital city of Kampala, Uganda. Built in 2002, completed in 2006, and officially opened on 18th March 2008, with the funding from the former president of Libya, Col. Muammar Gaddafi.
The construction of this mosque was initiated by Uganda’s 3rd president; H. E. Idi Amin Dada back in 1972. However, when he was overthrown in 1979 the construction came to a standstill for over 20 years until Gaddafi visited Uganda in 2001, from where he met with the Mufti of Uganda; H. E. Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje who asked him for assistance to finish the work that Amin had started. Both Amin and Museveni were close friends of Gaddafi: and with the warm welcome he received from the Moslem community in Uganda, Gaddafi accepted the request and decided to take on the construction. In 2002, Gaddafi sent engineers to explore the conditions of the mosque that Amin had started, but they found out that it had weakened and hence needed to be rebuilt which was the only option.
The Gaddafi Mosque is the largest in Uganda and Sub-Saharan Africa, and the 3rd largest in Africa. Whereby, the largest is in found in Algeria known as “The Great Mosque of Algiers” or “DJama el D’jazair” which was opened in 2019, and 2nd largest in Casablanca Morocco; “Al Hasan II Mosque” opened back in 1993.
The Gaddafi Mosque is a significant symbol of the historical and cultural connections between Africa and the Arab world. It stands on a hilltop in the Old Kampala neighborhood and is visible from many parts of the city, making it a popular tourist attraction.
The mosque’s impressive architecture reflects a fusion of European, African and Arab-Islamic styles. It has a distinctive minaret that stretches over 70 meters tall, making it one of the tallest structures in Kampala. The chandeliers in mosque’s domes are adorned with calligraphy that reads “There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger” in Arabic.
The Gaddafi Mosque can accommodate up to over 25,000 worshippers in the main prayer hall at a time, 3500 at the terrace and 1500 in the small prayer hall for daily prayers or Gallery, including separate sections for women. But it can go up to over 70,000 worshippers especially during Idi prayers, when every part is fully occupied. It hosts various religious and cultural events throughout the year including Juma’a prayers, Idi prayers, Daily 5 prayers, Mauledi, weddings or engagements, amongst others and has become a symbol of religious harmony and tolerance in Uganda.
The Gaddafi Mosque serves as a platform for interfaith dialogue and understanding in Uganda. It hosts various events that promote religious harmony and tolerance, bringing together people from different faiths to foster mutual respect and understanding.
The mosque also serves as a center for Islamic education and provides social services to the local community. It has a public library, a University college, tourism services, a conference hall, and a health clinic that offers free medical services to people in need.
GADDAFI MOSQUE TOURS – ENTRANCE FEES OPENING HOURS
The Mosque is one of the top things to do on your visit to Kampala City. At the Tourism Information Office, Entrance fees of UGX 25,000 (Twenty-five thousand shilling) or USD 7 (seven dollars) which is paid to the Cashier. Ladies are provided with head scarfs as per the Islamic Customs and men in shorts or sleeveless shirts are provided with thobes. You are then introduced to a professional English-speaking site guide who gives you a tour around and inside the Mosque to enjoy an ambiance of its exterior and interior. A walk to the top of the tower / Minaret will reward you with the Best 360 degrees view of Kampala City.
Precisely, the Gaddafi Mosque, is a symbol of the long-standing cultural and historical ties between Africa and the Arab world. Its impressive architecture and religious significance make it one of the most notable landmarks in Uganda. The Gaddafi Mosque has not only become a religious and cultural center in Kampala, but it has also become a symbol of unity and cooperation between African and Arab nations. The mosque’s construction was made possible through the support of the Libyan government, which further strengthened the ties between Uganda and Libya.
