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Fazal Ahmad, London, UK
Location: Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Belief: Islam
Era: 2007 CE
In the heart of Ivory Coast’s largest city, Abidjan, the Plateau Salam Mosque stands as a new and lustrous addition to the city. Construction first began in 1996 and was eventually completed by 2007, partly due to financial assistance from the Middle East.
The mosque is finished in a colourful style more reminiscent of the Silk Route of Central Asia. It has a vivid blue dome with a gold design, and a large thin minaret rising 65 metres into the sky.
The mosque is comprised of four floors. The first floor is administrative and contains parking spots. The second floor has ablution areas for both men and women, as well as an amphitheatre which can seat 300 people and a library. The third floor houses the main prayer area, which can seat 2,500 worshippers, and an esplanade area that can seat another 3,500. Finally, the fourth floor serves as a prayer area for women and can seat 500 worshippers.
Fascinatingly, Islam first came to the Ivory Coast in the 13th century CE through traders from the northern border with Mali and Burkina Faso. The most recent census shows that over 42% of the population are Muslims. Thus, this mosque serves as a necessary but beautiful addition to a city filled with sincere worshippers, especially on Fridays when the mosque, which usually seats 6,500 worshippers, becomes far busier than any other day.
In a city of over six million people, the Plateau Salam Mosque is a beautiful sapphire that adorns the rich tapestry of the Ivory Coast, and enriches the lives of Ivorians across the region.
References:
Mosquée Salam du Plateau. Accessed: 22 January 2025.
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