The Sheikh Ahmed Sharif Mosque () is small
mosque
A mosque ( ), also called a masjid ( ), is a place of worship for Muslims. The term usually refers to a covered building, but can be any place where Salah, Islamic prayers are performed; such as an outdoor courtyard.
Originally, mosques were si ...
in the historical
Shangani District
Shangani District () is a district in the southeastern Banaadir region of Somalia. It lies in central Mogadishu. Shingani along with Hamar Weyne are the oldest districts in Mogadishu. Shangani means ''On the sand'' in Swahili, as this district ...
in
Mogadishu
Mogadishu, locally known as Xamar or Hamar, is the capital and List of cities in Somalia by population, most populous city of Somalia. The city has served as an important port connecting traders across the Indian Ocean for millennia and has ...
.
Overview
The current Sheikh Ahmed Sharif Mosque was built in 1918, however this site is home to 2 previous older mosques built on top of one another
and this mosque site could be home to Mogadishu oldest mosque.
The mosque was demolished in the winter of 1985-86 was built in 1730-40 and mosque prior to that was built during the 17th century and the oldest mosque was built during the 13th century.
Controversy
The Sheikh Ahmed Sharif mosque was built in 1337 AH (1918 CE), after there was dispute between two local clans; the
Asharaf
The Asharaf, also spelled Ashraf (from the , ), is a Somali clan. Their name is the plural of , an originally Arabic term designating those who claim descent from the family of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
Belonging to the larger group of Somal ...
clan and the 'Amuudi clan. The two clans both from
Shingani district dispute first started after the
Asharaf
The Asharaf, also spelled Ashraf (from the , ), is a Somali clan. Their name is the plural of , an originally Arabic term designating those who claim descent from the family of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
Belonging to the larger group of Somal ...
clan had removed the Khatiib of the mosque from office - they had no right to do this as this Khatib had been chosen by elders from both clans. The
Asharaf
The Asharaf, also spelled Ashraf (from the , ), is a Somali clan. Their name is the plural of , an originally Arabic term designating those who claim descent from the family of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
Belonging to the larger group of Somal ...
clan then went to build the Sheikh Ahmed Sharif mosque nearby and the dispute only ended in 1339 AH (1921 CE), only after there was an intervention by Mr. Carlo Avolio who was director of the Municipality at time along with the local clans in
Mogadishu
Mogadishu, locally known as Xamar or Hamar, is the capital and List of cities in Somalia by population, most populous city of Somalia. The city has served as an important port connecting traders across the Indian Ocean for millennia and has ...
(
Shingani and
Hamar Weyne) and many religious leader to resolve the problems of the two opposing groups. After this intervention a verdict was given that the 'Amuudi clan pray twelve Fridays in the Sheikh Ahmed Mosque and the
Asharaf
The Asharaf, also spelled Ashraf (from the , ), is a Somali clan. Their name is the plural of , an originally Arabic term designating those who claim descent from the family of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
Belonging to the larger group of Somal ...
returned to pray in the original Friday mosque. The 'Amudi's accepted the new khatiib to be chosen from the
Asharaf
The Asharaf, also spelled Ashraf (from the , ), is a Somali clan. Their name is the plural of , an originally Arabic term designating those who claim descent from the family of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
Belonging to the larger group of Somal ...
, and peace was made between them.
See also
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'Adayga (Aw Musse)
*
Aw Mukhtar & Aw Sheikh Omar (The Twin Mosques)
*
Awooto Eeday
The Awooto Eeday Mosque is a small mosque located in one of the old historical alleyways of Hamar Weyne in Mogadishu.
Overview
The mosque is said to have been built with the money of a pious woman who was known as Awooto Eeday (Awooto which m ...
*
Fakhrudiin
*
Jaama' Xamar Weyne
*
Mohamed Al Tani
*
Sheikh Rumani Ba 'Alawi
*
Arba'a Rukun
*
Jaama' Shingani
References
{{coord missing, Somalia
Buildings and structures in Mogadishu
Mosques in Somalia