Amidst huge ancient
baobab trees at the northern most part of the exotic shoreline of Diani, lies the
Kongo Mosque, a unique monument that has stood for ages. Believed to have been
built in the 14th century by the
early Arab merchants who visited the East African coast, Kongo Mosque formerly
known as the Diani Persian Mosque has been documented as one of the oldest
mosques in the region.
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| The Kongo Mosque of Diani. |
The name Kongo was derived from a name found
inscribed on a stone on one of the ancient graves at the mosque compound, where
one Muslim faithful Swaddiq Kongo was
buried centuries back. This mosque was abandoned when the Arabs left the East
African coast and it ended up being engulfed in a thicket. However 300 years ago, it is said that a native
Muslim scholar by the name Sheikh Mwinyi
Kombo had a revelation while in his sleep, directing him to look for this
mosque. After a couple of days searching, Mwinyi Kombo found the mosque and him
together with the local community then cleansed it and from that time onwards it
has been used for prayers.
A historical
monument lying on a serene environment overlooking the Indian ocean, the Kongo
mosque is a remarkable attraction to local and foreign tourists. Its unique architectural design makes it mosque distinct. But being a sacred building, visitors who come
to the area are required to observe sanity while in the mosque compound. Here
alcoholic drinks, music and people entering the mosque compound wearing
swimming costumes are things that are not allowed at all.
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| Kongo Mosque area. |
The story of
Kongo mosque does not end there, meters into the ocean there is a huge round
stone. The locals believe that the stone is a sacred, and in the past many people
frequented it to make rituals. It is narrated that the stone used to revolve
but nowadays it has stopped, for reasons not known by the present day narrators.
The stone can be accessed during low tides but when the tide is high, it is
completely coverd by water.
Seated on an
18 accre peace of land, the Kongo
mosque has ample parking space for muslim faithfuls and other visitors going
there. But as you ponder visiting the Kongo mosque or Diani beach as a whole
for a swim, it is advisable to follow instructions given out by the life guards
deployed here by the local authorities for your own safety.
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