The minaret
Two green balconies.
Ch1pabeck — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Francisco Anzola from United States — CC BY 2.0 · Tyke — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Tyke — CC BY 3.0
The Hamoudi Mosque, also known as Gami al-Nur, is one of the oldest standing mosques in Djibouti City, the capital. Its round white minaret with two green balconies rises above the markets and streets in the heart of the old town. It is one of the city's best-known and most photographed landmarks. The mosque was built around 1906 by Haji Hamoudi, whose name it bears. It has about 2,000 square metres of internal space and holds around a thousand worshippers. It stands near the central market and Place Ménélik, in the city's historic commercial district, where Arab and colonial architecture meet. You see a tall round white minaret ringed by two green balconies and topped by a small cone. Below it is a low white building with windows and a doorway, on a busy street of cars, vendors and passers-by. From nearby rooftops the minaret rises above the colourful market roofs. It stands in the city centre, about 400 metres from Place Ménélik. Non-Muslims usually view it from outside. Dress modestly, avoid prayer times and ask before photographing people in the street.
Two green balconies.
Around the mosque.
Mixed architecture.
Central Djibouti City
Around 1906, by Haji Hamoudi.
Non-Muslims usually view it from outside, so ask first.