Thread by @Independentmi20

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The fakr ad-din mosque in mogadishu was built in the year 969 after destruction by unknown reasons the mosque was rebuild again in the 1300s

Do you guys know the italians and omanis stole the complete interior wich was decorated with indian marble ??👇

#somalia #somali

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The mosque was built in 969 by Sultan Abu Bakr Fakr ad-Din of the Fakr ad-din dynasty, but some historian say it was initially named something else but was rebuild & renamed in the 1300s after the somali sultan abu bakr who ibn battuta will meet in 1331 and write about. 👇

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Stone, including Indian marble and coral, were the primary materials used in the construction.The structure displays a compact rectangular plan, with a domed mihrab axis. Glazed tiles were also used in the decoration of the mihrab, one of which bears a dated inscription.

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The mihrab is still in his original state and dates from the mid 1300s and is still in use till this day !!

Here is a drawing of the mosque in the 1800s and a picture taken recently there is also a good coverage done of the mosque by @OGAA_NSHO you can see it on youtube.

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The mosque was bigger then what it now is !! After the italian invasion the omanis who cooperated with the italians in the occupation and after the italians stormed and burned the mosque they literally stole the majority of decorations and shipped it to zanzibar !

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The fakhr ad-din mosque and the jama mosque were both stormed & burned down by the italians in the late 1800s and both fires were put out by the locals ! Fakhr ad-din mosque lost a part but jama mosque was little damaged here jama mosque in 1920s destruction still visible👇

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Here is some of the marble and decorations that was left behind 👇👇 we can assume these were the lesser valuable ones and the most beautiful and valuable ones were shipped of !! These are 13th century indian gujarat imported stone marble

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In and around the 1300s mogadishu was at the zenith of its prosperity and many world famous explorers confirm this 👇👇 the kingdom had trading relations with all of the silk road kingdoms & empires from china to egypt ! Chinese/arab/portuguese/berber sources 👇👇

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The kingdom also goes on islamic expeditions to spread islam in south africa and historian say thats how they will discover gold in sofala mozambique wich will eventually make mogadishu the richest city on the East African coast.

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Mogadishu becomes a wealthy prosperous city and by far the most dominant trading center in east africa and the kingdom establishes a semi colony in the maldives and its inhabitants travel the known world in search of knowledge and trade 👇👇

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most of the wealth in mogadishu is spend on the spreading of islam wich seems to be the main goal of the city and many wealth is being poured in islamic education all over south & central somalia in the 11th century mogadishu is already the islamic center of east africa!👇

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Islam is also spread to many parts of asia initially through trade ! Mogadishu having established a foothold in the maledives spread islam there too ! Abu barakat al barbari ( barbari middle ages name for somalis ) is accredited to spreading islam there !!

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this economic prosperity explains why the majority of ancient mosque in mogadishu like the arba rukun and jama mosque and many more are all build around that time ! Every historical document confirmes the prosperity of the city and its position as a center of islamic study

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After the portuguese enter the indian ocean trade the somalis because of the wealth of trade are able to import arms and defeat the portuguese basically prevented the portuguese of every dominanting the region !

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Here is a 17th century british captain mocking the portuguese but also confirming the story that the portuguese were unable to take over mogadishu and many times had tried but failed !! The portuguese therefore bypassed mogadishu and cut it of from the indian ocean trade!

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Mogadishu has a history of independence and world trade and the spreading of islam !! These mosques were build by men who were devout muslims and travelers in very dangerous times for them to build these mosques it was hard work and seeing the state of it now hurts me 👇

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We all understand that somalia has different priorities but i would argue preserving history is as crucial as preserving water to drink from !! The city has an noble and well documented history that not many cities have especially in africa.