Calanley mosque facts for kids

The Calanley Mosque, also known as Masjid Express, is a special old mosque located in Kismayo, a city in Jubaland. Jubaland is a region in Somalia, East Africa. This mosque is famous for its unique design, especially its tall towers called minarets.

Calanley Mosque: A Historical Landmark

A Unique Mosque in Kismayo

The Calanley Mosque is a very old and important building in Kismayo. It is a place of worship for Muslims. What makes this mosque stand out are its minarets. Minarets are tall, slender towers that are part of a mosque. They are traditionally used for the call to prayer, inviting Muslims to come and pray.

The minarets of the Calanley Mosque have a very distinct shape. They are built in a "semiellipse" design. Imagine cutting an oval shape in half – that's what a semiellipse looks like. This special design is linked to a particular branch of Islam called Ibadism. The mosque is known for its "Ibadist" style, which means it follows design ideas from the Ibadi tradition.

A Glimpse into History: The Sultanate of Zanzibar

So, why does a mosque in Somalia have an Ibadist design? The answer lies in history! Kismayo and the wider Jubaland region were once under the strong influence of the Sultanate of Zanzibar. The Sultanate of Zanzibar was a powerful kingdom that ruled over many parts of East Africa, including coastal areas like Kismayo, during the 19th century.

The rulers of the Sultanate of Zanzibar followed the Ibadi branch of Islam. Because they had a lot of power and influence in Jubaland, their unique architectural style, including the Ibadist design, became common in buildings there. This is why many buildings from the "colonial era" in Jubaland, like the Calanley Mosque, show this special Ibadist design. The colonial era refers to a time when European countries controlled many parts of the world, and during this period, the Sultanate of Zanzibar also had a significant impact on the region's culture and architecture.