About the Great Mosque of Kairouan, Tunisia:
A Great Mosque has every city in Tunisia, but the most important of all is the Great Mosque of Kairouan. In Africa for worship it is the oldest Muslim place and after the Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem in Islam as the fourth holiest site is commonly regarded.
The history of the Great Mosque of Kairouan:
In 670 in Kairouan was built the first mosque, to North Africa of Muslim Arabs shortly after the arrival. By the founder of Kairouan it was built, he was the Sidi Oqba, for that as the Sidi Oqba Mosque is also known the mosque. In 863 by the Emir Abou Ibrahim Ahmad was built the current mosque.
To Mecca not able to make the long trip for North Africans as a pilgrimage destination has served the Great Mosque of Kairouan for centuries. One Hajj to Mecca was worth seven trips to Kairouan according to the popular belief.
At the Great Mosque of Kairouan what to see:
The Great Mosque of Kairouan the exterior the typically austere Aghlabid design is in with the buttressed walls, but the buildings significance indicates the grand minaret and upon entering becomes far more impressive the mosque.
Through nine different gates Muslims can enter the mosque, on rue Oqba ibn Nafaa use the main gate the non-Muslim visitors and appropriately dressed must be, for those who are not at the entrance robes are available.
With flagstones is paved the courtyard and in the center to intricately decorated draining the slopes, from the rainwater which filter dust and into a 9th century cistern deposit it. Containing about 400 ancient pillars there are beautiful horseshoe arched porticoes around the courtyard. From Latin, Roman and Byzantine Christian buildings there were refused and can be seen throughout symbols of these former faiths.
There is a massive three story minaret on the north side of the courtyard which rises almost 115 feet high. From 728 dates of the minaret’s the lowest level with Latin inscriptions two reused Roman slabs which includes.
Their shoes having remove, before entering the prayer hall in the portico the customary ablution (the ritual washing) Muslims perform, by a fine dome which topped and dating from 1829 through beautifully carved wooden doors entered.
Inside are not allowed the non-Muslims, but of the interior to allow glimpses the doors are left open, 414 ancient columns of marble supported by of 17 aisles which consists and from Sousse and Carthage the porphyry. By chandeliers is illuminated the hall and with rugs softened the entire floor that cover and for the columns the base.
On the south side of the mosque to the 9th century titled mihrab (the direction of Mecca indicating the niche) leads the central aisle. The mihrab’s tile, for the nearby minbar (the pulpit) the wood as well as, from Baghdad were imported, of local saints the mosque are tombs inside also. On rue Oqba ibn Nafaa from the roof of a neighboring carpet shop can be have the good view of the Great Mosque of Kairouan.
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