After work today in the pediatric emergency department (rough day - it's very tough working there!), Mike and I headed out to see one of the main sights in downtown Kampala, the National Mosque (also known as the Old Kampala Mosque). Situated on the central hill in Kampala, the mosque is highly visible from many areas of the city.
Despite the fact that it is known as the Old Kampala Mosque, it is actually quite new. The mosque was initiated by Idi Amin in the 1970's; however, due to political instability, only the foundation stood in place for over thirty years before the mosque was completed with financial assistance from Libyan leader, Colonel Gadaffi. (Hence, the reason that the mosque is also known as Gadaffi mosque; however, due to political reasons, there is a strong push to return to calling the building the National Mosque).
The Mosque is quite a site to see. Prior to entering, however, it was required that I be dressed in more appropriate attire; therefore, our guide kindly dressed me with covering from head to foot, and then we headed to see the Mosque.
The construction is absolutely beautiful, both inside and out.
Our guide informed us that, during religious services on Friday afternoons, approximately 35,000 worshipers could fit in the mosque. While this seemed like a bit of an exaggeration (and Mike was trying to calculate the number of carpeted "seats" in the building), it is safe to say that the mosque can hold many, many worshipers.
Following our visit inside the mosque, we were permitted to walk to the top of the adjacent minaret.
After climbing up 308 stairs, we arrived at the top to sweeping views of Kampala city and beyond. It was beautiful.
Despite the fact that it is known as the Old Kampala Mosque, it is actually quite new. The mosque was initiated by Idi Amin in the 1970's; however, due to political instability, only the foundation stood in place for over thirty years before the mosque was completed with financial assistance from Libyan leader, Colonel Gadaffi. (Hence, the reason that the mosque is also known as Gadaffi mosque; however, due to political reasons, there is a strong push to return to calling the building the National Mosque).
The Mosque is quite a site to see. Prior to entering, however, it was required that I be dressed in more appropriate attire; therefore, our guide kindly dressed me with covering from head to foot, and then we headed to see the Mosque.
The construction is absolutely beautiful, both inside and out.
Our guide informed us that, during religious services on Friday afternoons, approximately 35,000 worshipers could fit in the mosque. While this seemed like a bit of an exaggeration (and Mike was trying to calculate the number of carpeted "seats" in the building), it is safe to say that the mosque can hold many, many worshipers.
Following our visit inside the mosque, we were permitted to walk to the top of the adjacent minaret.
After climbing up 308 stairs, we arrived at the top to sweeping views of Kampala city and beyond. It was beautiful.
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