MOSQUE

Malindi Mosque (also known as Bamnara Mosque) is the oldest mosque in Stone Town, Zanzibar, 

reflecting Islamic and Swahili traditions. Located near the port, the mosque has been rebuilt multiple times since the 15th century, with the current structure dating to around 1835.

It was originally built by a wealthy Somali merchant. Constructed from coral stone and lime, the mosque features a rare elliptical-shaped minaret on a square base. Its simple, Mecca-facing walls and small high windows help maintain privacy and keep the interior cool.

A single large prayer room, supported by a series of polylobate arches and chamfered columns, serves the Muslim community, which continues to use the mosque for worship and gatherings. It remains a significant cultural and architectural landmark of early Islamic heritage in East Africa.