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Shawwal 1445 - Dhul Qidah 1445
At prayer times in Dakar, Senegal, mosques come alive with hoards of worshippers gathering for congregational prayers. Senegal is known worldwide for its interesting and historical mosques. Here are some of the most popular mosques in the city of Senegal, with prayer times and facilities. Dakar is the capital and largest city of Senegal, situated on the Cape Verde Peninsula along the Atlantic coast. The city is an Atlantic port on the Cap-Vert peninsula. Since its introduction in the 11th century through trade and cultural interactions, Islam has become the most followed religion in the region.
The spread of Islam was gradual, but eventually, Senegal became a center for Sufism. Dakar was selected as the Capital of Islamic Culture for the African Region in 2007 by the Islamic Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), honoring its Islamic heritage and contribution to theology. ISESCO and its parent organization, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), have held several regional and international conferences in the city.
In the early 2000s, the land where the Great Mosque Massalikoul Djinane stands today was honorably donated by President Abdoulaye Wade. The prodigious construction of the mosque took around 15 years by the company Consortium des Entreprises du Sénégal. Eventually, the mosque was opened on 27 September 2019. The mosque's name, "Massalikul Jinaan," translated as "The Paths to Paradise," comes from the title of a poem by Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba Mbacke, the 19th-century founder of the Sufi Brotherhood, who is revered by followers as a saint. The mosque spans over an area of 10,000 square meters, making it the largest mosque in West Africa.
The entire complex includes five minarets with a height of 80 meters and 4 wooden domes. All of which can accommodate up to 10,000 worshipers inside the building and an additional 20,000 at its square. Designed by the famous Architect Maissa Diodio Touré, the total construction cost exceeded 32 million dollars. The mosque's gold leaf cupola and intricate decorative details handmade by Moroccan artisans catch the eye of many tourists. It is deemed the pride of West African Muslims with its significance and influence. Some even deem it to be a symbol of the economic power of the Mourides, which, over the years, allowed them to acquire significant political and cultural influence.
Overlooking the shore of Ouakam, the Mosquée de la Divinité is a remarkable landmark that has become an attraction in recent years. The mosque is characterized by its two towering minarets offering unparalleled views of the Atlantic Ocean. Built on a square structure, the architectural design of the mosque offers the viewer a unique blend of modern and traditional designs. The height of the mosque is 45 meters.
The original idea to build the mosque came first from Mohamed Gorgui Seyni Guèye in 1973. The actual construction, however, was done by Cheikh Ngom and wasn't completed until 1997. The mosque is an active community pillar, with multiple humanitarian endeavors in the running, as well as projects in education and cleaning days of the mosque site, organized by the Union of Muslim Women Naby-Allah (UFMNA). Apart from the congregational five daily obligatory prayers, the mosque also organizes the following:
The exact timings of the Jumma Jamaat (Friday congregational prayer) are unavailable. However, the mosque does organize a congregation for the day and receives several worshippers for the prayers.
The Grand Mosque of Dakar, or The Dakar Grand Mosque, is a symbolic architectural masterpiece that attracts worshippers and tourists from all over the world. It is situated on Allée Pape Gueye Fall. It was designed by Moroccan and French architects and opened in 1964 by Hassan II, King of Morocco, and Senegalese President Léopold Sédar Senghor. The richly decorated interior and exterior are stylistically similar to the Mausoleum of Mohammed V in Casablanca. The minaret of the mosque rises to 67 meters. It is home to the Islamic Institute of Dakar, which was created in 1964 and is dedicated to Islamic research and teaching. There is also a library named after Prince Naef Ben Abdelaziz Al-Saoud, which opened on 9 October 2004.
Known for the Imam's wonderful sermons, Grande Mosquée de Mermoz is located near the central city and is surrounded by several commercial shops. The mosque is popular for its well-maintained facilities and spiritual atmosphere, bringing the worshippers closer to their religion.
The Grande Mosquée UCAD is the campus mosque for the University of Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar. It is the congregational mosque (with Friday prayers) for the students and staff of the university. Recently renovated, the mosque is a clean and spacious establishment known for its gatherings of knowledge and wisdom. There are also classes available for those seeking an understanding of the Quran and further knowledge of Islam.
In the Islamic tradition, congregational prayers are a recognizable quality unique to the perfected Deen. As the followers of the beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), we follow his (ﷺ) sunnah of striving to pray with the congregation. Every able man should pray with the congregation if he hears the Adhan (call to prayer). Abu Hurairah narrated that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Indeed a man's Salat in the congregation is increased by twenty-five rewards over his Salat alone." (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 216)
Narrated by Sa'id ibn al-Musayyab, an Ansari, breathing his last, said, "I narrate to you a tradition, and I narrate it intending to get a reward from Allah." He heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say, "If any one of you performs ablution and performs it very well, and goes out for prayer, he does not take his right step, but Allah records a good work (or blessing) for him, and he does not take his left step, but Allah remits one sin from him. Any one of you may reside near the mosque or far from it; if he comes to the mosque and prays in the congregation, he will be forgiven (by Allah).
If he comes to the mosque while the people have prayed in part, and the prayer remains in part, and he prays in congregation the part he joined and completed the part he had missed, he will enjoy similarly (i.e., he will be forgiven). If he comes to the mosque when the people have finished prayer, he will enjoy the same." (Grade: Sahih (Al-Albani) Sunan Abi Dawud 563) The rewards of praying with the congregation are immense. We hope you will be able to benefit from this list of mosques in Dakar and pray with the congregation.
| Fajr | Duhur | Asr | Maghrib | Isha |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05:16 | 13:06 | 16:25 | 19:32 | 20:47 |