The minarets
Above the skyline.
Ammar Hassan — CC BY 2.0 · François COLIN — CC BY-SA 2.5 · Initsogan — Public domain · Александра Пугачевская (Alexandra Pugachevsky) — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Magharebia — CC BY 2.0
The Saudi Mosque is one of the best-known mosques in Nouakchott, capital of Mauritania, named for the Saudi funding that built it. Its tall twin minarets rise above the city's low districts and can be seen from far away. It stands in the centre of the capital, close to the main streets and markets. Nouakchott is a fairly young city, chosen as the capital at independence, and it grew fast from a small settlement into Mauritania's largest city. Its houses are mostly low and sand-coloured, so mosques and their minarets stand out on the skyline. The Saudi Mosque is one of the most prominent, and a main place of prayer in the city. You see a broad pale sand-coloured building with repeating arches across its front and two matching slender minarets, each ending in a pointed tip. A wide square, broad streets and trees surround it. From above it rises among the city's flat houses stretching towards the desert. It stands in central Nouakchott. Non-Muslims usually view it from outside. Dress modestly, avoid prayer times, above all on Friday, and ask before taking photos.
Above the skyline.
On the front.
Broad.
Central Nouakchott, Mauritania
Because Saudi funding built it.
Non-Muslims usually view it from outside.