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Great Mosque of Uqba

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Kairouan is dotted with mosques, earning it the reputation as the "City of Three Hundred Mosques." However, the most renowned is the Great Mosque of Uqba, also known as the "Great Mosque," located in the northeast corner of the city. It is not only the oldest and largest mosque in North Africa but also one of the world's four holiest mosques, alongside Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem. From over ten kilometers away, one can see the towering minaret of the Great Mosque, which has become an iconic symbol of Kairouan.

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Kairouan is dotted with mosques, earning it the reputation as the "City of Three Hundred Mosques." However, the most renowned is the Great Mosque of Uqba, also known as the "Great Mosque." It is not only the oldest and largest mosque in North Africa but also one of the world's four holiest mosques, alongside Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem. From over ten kilometers away, one can see the towering minaret of the Great Mosque, which has become an iconic symbol of Kairouan.

The Great Mosque of Uqba was built between 670 and 675 AD by Uqba ibn Nafi, the Umayyad governor of Ifriqiya, during the construction of Kairouan city, and was named after him. The entire architectural complex boasts a unique style and ingenious design. The surrounding colonnaded arcades, rows of stone pillars, and majestic minaret create a solemn, sacred, and pure atmosphere. Being inside makes one feel the mystery of creation, the vastness of the universe, and the insignificance of the individual. The mosque measures 130 meters in length and 80 meters in width, with 4-meter-high walls that resemble a massive fortress. The courtyard is paved with marble and surrounded on three sides by arched colonnades supported by 300 stone pillars. The square-shaped, three-tiered minaret in the northwest corner stands 35 meters tall and is the tallest structure in Kairouan. The mosque also houses a library containing a vast collection of Islamic scriptures and precious relics.

The Great Mosque of Uqba is the earliest Islamic educational and cultural center in North Africa and the academic hub of the Maliki school of Islamic jurisprudence. It holds a revered status among Muslims and has trained numerous Islamic scholars and jurists. It is listed as one of the key cultural heritage sites under the protection of UNESCO.

Mosque of Uqba

Must-visit reason: The oldest and largest mosque in North Africa

Continent: Africa【Africa】

Country/Region: Tunisia [Tunisia]

Province/State: Kairouan Governorate [Kairouan Governorate]

City: Kairouan [Kairouan]