List of the oldest mosques


The designation of the oldest mosques in the world requires careful use of definitions, and must be divided into two parts, the oldest in the sense of oldest surviving building, and the oldest in the sense of oldest mosque congregation. Even here, there is the distinction between old mosque buildings that have been in continuous use as mosques, and those that have been converted to other purposes; and between buildings that have been in continuous use as mosques and those that were shuttered for many decades. In terms of congregations, they are distinguished between early established congregations that have been in continuous existence, and early congregations that ceased to exist. Note that the major regions, such as Africa and Eurasia, are sorted alphabetically, whereas the minor regions, such as Northeast and Northwest Africa in Africa, and Arabia and South Asia in Eurasia, are sorted by the dates in which their first mosques were reportedly established, more or less, barring those that are mentioned by name in the Quran.
To be listed here a site must:
The following are treated as the oldest mosques or sanctuaries mentioned in the Quran:
BuildingImageLocationCountryFirst builtNotes
Al-Haram MosqueMeccaSaudi Arabia, associated with AbrahamAl-Masjid al-Ḥarām, the holiest sanctuary, containing the Ka'bah, a site of the Ḥajj, the Qiblah, and the first mosque in Islamic thought. Rebuilt many times, notably 1571 by the Ottomans, and the late 20th century by the Saudis, further enlargement under way since 2010.
Al-Aqsa MosqueJerusalem Israel, associated with AbrahamAl-Masjid al-Aqṣá, the former Qiblah, site of the significant event of Al-Isra' wal-Mi'raj, third holiest site in Islam. Although properly referring to the whole Temple Mount compound, today however specifically the silver-domed congregational mosque or prayer hall facing Mecca located on the southern side of the compound.
The Sacred MonumentMuzdalifah, near MeccaSaudi ArabiaAl-Mashʿar Al-Ḥarām a site of the Hajj.
Quba MosqueMedinaSaudi ArabiaThe first mosque built by Muhammad in the 7th century CE, possibly mentioned as the "Mosque founded on piety since the first day" in the Quran. Largely rebuilt in the late 20th century.

Africa

BuildingImageLocationCountryFirst builtDenominationNotes
Mosque of the CompanionsMassawaEritrea Believed to be the first mosque on the African continent and the first mosque in the world built by the companions of prophet Muhammad in the 7th century.
Negash Āmedīn MesgīdNegashEthiopiaBuilt in the 7th century in Negash, the mosque in Negash, by tradition burial site of several followers of Mohammad who, during his lifetime, fled to the Aksumite Kingdom to escape persecution in Mecca. It was recently renovated by TIKA, a Turkish cooperation organization.
Masjid al-QiblataynZeilaSomaliaBuilt in the 7th century in Zeila, shortly after the hijrah; known to be among the oldest mosques.
Korijib MasjidTadjouraDjiboutiPossible the oldest mosque in the country.
Mosque of Amr ibn al-AsCairoEgyptNamed after 'Amr ibn al-'As, commander of the Muslim conquest of Egypt, by order of Caliph Umar. Built as the centre of Fustat in 673–642 CE, and rebuilt in 1179 and in 1875.
Mosque of Ibn TulunCairoEgypt
Al-Hakim MosqueCairoEgypt
Al-Azhar MosqueCairoEgyptSunni
Arba'a Rukun MosqueMogadishuSomalia1268/9Sunni
Fakr ad-Din MosqueMogadishuSomalia1269SunniMosque built by Sultan Fakr ad-Din of the Sultanate of Mogadishu.

BuildingImageLocationCountryFirst builtDenominationNotes
Great Mosque of KairouanKairouanTunisiaSunniBelieved to be the first mosque in the Maghreb, it was rebuilt in the 9th century.
Sidi Ghanim MosqueMilaAlgeriaSunniThe oldest Mosque in Algeria built by Abu al-Muhajir Dinar
Sidi Okba MosqueSidi OkbaAlgeria
Al-Zaytuna MosqueTunisTunisiaSunni
Great Mosque of SfaxSfaxTunisia
Great Mosque of SousseSousseTunisia
Atiq Mosque, AwjilaAwjilaLibya1101Sunni

BuildingImageLocationCountryFirst builtDenominationNotes
Shanga MosqueShanga, Pate IslandKenyaFoundation discovered, with coins attesting dates, during the 1980s excavations. The earliest concrete evidence of Muslims in East Africa.-
Great Mosque of KilwaKilwa KisiwaniTanzania1000–1100
Kizimkazi MosqueDimbaniTanzania
Tsingoni MosqueTsingoni, MayotteFrance1538
Al-Fatah Mosque KigaliRwanda 1913Founded by coastal Swahili-speaking Tanzanian Muslims who came to Rwanda to work in the German administration.

BuildingImageLocationCountryFirst builtDenominationNotes
Larabanga MosqueLarabangaGhana1421The oldest existing mud-brick mosque in Ghana.
Great Mosque of KanoKanoNigeria15th centuryBuilt in for Emir Muhammad Rumfa

BuildingImageLocationCountryFirst builtDenominationNotes
Auwal MosqueCape ColonySouth Africa 1798
Masjid al-QudamaCaledon Street, Uitenhage, Eastern CapeSouth Africa1849It is deduced that the mosque in Caledon Street was a completed building by March 1849
Grey Street Mosque DurbanSouth Africa1881
Soofie MasjidButha ButheLesotho1900 Founded by Soofie Saheb at the turn of the century; the community is described as African Muslim yet speaking an Indian language.
Habibia Soofie Saheb Jamia MasjidRylands, Cape TownSouth Africa1905
Lobatse MasjidLobatseBotswana1960sFounded by Indian Muslims who were brought over during the British colonial period.
Ezulwini MosqueEzulwini, near MbabaneSwaziland1978

BuildingImageLocationCountryFirst builtDenominationNotes
Agadez MosqueAgadez1515Niger's oldest mosque.
Grand Mosque, SokodéSokodéTogo1820

Americas

BuildingImageLocationCountryFirst builtDenominationNotes
Suriname 1906Built by immigrant Javanese rice farmers.
Mesquita Brasil,São PauloBrazil1929Previous site built in 1929; current building inaugurated in 1952. First known mosque in Brazil.
Panama1930Ahmadiyya
El Paraíso, CaracasVenezuela1968
At-Tauhid MosqueBuenos AiresArgentina1983Shi'iteOpened in October 1983 by the Shi'ite community of Buenos Aires and with the support of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Argentina. It is a very simple building with a subtle Islamic style in its facade.
Mezquita as-SalamSantiagoChile1995Commissioned 1989, inaugurated in 1995.

BuildingImageLocationCountryFirst builtDenominationNotes
Al-Sadiq MosqueChicago, IllinoisUnited States1922AhmadiyyaOldest extant mosque in the Americas.
Mother Mosque of America
Cedar Rapids, Iowa1934Oldest extant purpose-built mosque in the United States
Al-Rashid MosqueEdmonton, AlbertaCanada1938First purpose-built mosque in Canada.
Westmoreland and Spanish TownJamaica1950sConstructed by the Islamic Society of Jamaica, which was founded in 1950.
Bridgetown MosqueBridgetownBarbados1957First purpose-built mosque in Barbados.
Omar Bin Al-Khattab MosqueWillemstadCuraçao1965
Haiti1985Converted private residence.
Suraya MosqueTorreónMexico1989Shi'iteBuilt by the immigrants from the Middle East living in Torreón.
Omar MosqueSan JoséCosta Rica1995SunniFounded by the Islamic Cultural Association of Costa Rica.
Belize CityBelize2008 Founded by Belizeans who converted to Islam while in the United States.
Boukman BuharaCap-HaïtienHaiti2016First purpose-built mosque in Haiti. Includes a minaret. Constructed by the Diyanet Foundation of Turkey following the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

Eurasia

'Eurasia' is treated here not as a continental landmass, but a combination of European and Asian countries, including island-states such as Japan and the United Kingdom.
BuildingImageLocationCountryFirst builtDenominationNotes
Al-Masjid al-NabawiMedinaSaudi ArabiaSecond holiest site in Islam and Muhammad's mosque, which houses his tomb in what was initially his and his wife Aisha's house. Largely rebuilt and greatly enlarged in the late 20th century, whilst retaining at its heart the earlier construction of the Ottomans, and landmark green dome atop the prophet's mausoleum.
Masjid al-QiblatainMedinaSaudi ArabiaMosque originally with two Qiblah walls: One facing Jerusalem, the first Qiblah and another facing Mecca
Jawatha MosqueAl-KilabiyahSaudi ArabiaHas recently been renovated and prayers are still held in this mosque.
Great Mosque of Sana'aSana'aYemen7th centuryPossibly the oldest mosque in the country.
Al-Asha'ir MosqueZabidYemenA part of UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Town of Zabid. Established by Abu Musa al-Ash'ari, a sahabi.
Masjid MazinSamailOmanFounded by Mazin Ben Ghadooba, who is considered to be the first Omani to adopt Islam during Muhammad's lifetime.
Al-Hadi MosqueSa'dahYemen
Khamis MosqueKhamis, ManamaBahrain1000–1200 Though most of the structure is dated to the 11th or 12th century, it is popularly believed to have been founded by the Caliph Omar in the 600s.
Mosque in Al-AinAl AinUnited Arab Emirates1000s Possible the oldest mosque in the country.
Al Badiyah MosqueFujairahUnited Arab Emirates1400sSome much earlier estimates have been proposed.

BuildingImageLocationCountryFirst builtDenominationNotes
Huaisheng MosqueGuangzhouChinaThe Huaisheng Mosque is the main mosque of Guangzhou. It has been rebuilt many times over its history. According to tradition it was originally built over 1,300 years ago in 627 CE by Sa`d ibn Abi Waqqas, who was an uncle of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, and was named in memory of Muhammad.
Xianxian MosqueGuangzhou CityChinaThe mosque was originally built in 629 during the Tang Dynasty.
Great Mosque of Xi'anXi'an, ShaanxiChinaAlthough the oldest stones date from the 18th century, the Mosque was founded in 742 Built in 742, but oldest mosque in China is the Beacon Tower mosque of Guangzhou being built in 627.
Macau Mosque China1980The first and only mosque in Macau.
Taipei Grand MosqueTaipei1947Oldest and most famous mosque in Taiwan. Original building was firstly used in 1947, then relocated to a new site where it was reconstructed in 1960.
Kaohsiung MosqueTaipei1949The second oldest mosque in Taiwan. The original building was built in 1949, then moved to a new location where the second building was built in 1951, and the third and final building built in 1992.
Jamia Mosque China1890

BuildingImageLocationCountryFirst builtDenominationNotes
Barwada mosque
Ghogha, GujaratIndiaBefore 623Built by Arab traders at ancient port of Ghogha,  Bhavnagar district in the state of Gujarat. The qibla of the mosque is faced to Bait al Mukaddas. The mosque is abandoned by devotees after the qibla was changed to Makkah in AD 623 and another mosque constructed at the same time.
Cheraman Juma MasjidKodungallurIndiaBuilt by Malik bin Dinar, companion of Prophet Muhammad, on orders of Cheraman Perumal, then King of modern-day Kerala, it is the oldest mosque in the Indian subcontinent.
unnamed Ramjapur MasjidLalmonirhat, RangpurBangladeshProphet's lifetimeSunniPossibly the earliest mosque in South Asia is under excavation in northern Bangladesh, indicating the presence of Muslims in the area around the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad.
Palaiya Jumma PalliKilakaraiIndiaSunniConsidered to be the first mosque to be built in Tamil Nadu, and the second mosque in India. Constructed by Yemeni merchants and trade settlers in the Pandiya Kingdom and ordered by Bazan ibn Sasan, Governor of Yemen at the time of Muhammad.
Masjid Al-AbrarBeruwala, Kalutara District, Western ProvinceSri LankaFirst century in the Hijri calendarThe date has been carved in its stone pillars. It is situated in western province of Sri Lanka.
Haji PiyadaBalkhAfghanistanSecond half of the 9th centuryConsidered to be the oldest Islamic building in Afghanistan.
Jamia Masjid, BanbhoreBanbhore, SindhPakistanThis is the oldest mosque of Pakistan which is located in Bhambore.
Kazimar Big MosqueMaduraiIndia1284Sunni, Hanafi, ShadhiliFirst mosque in Madurai.
Chaqchan MosqueKhaplu, Gilgit BaltistanPakistan1370This is the oldest mosque of Gilgit Baltistan located in Khaplu.
Sixty Dome MosqueBagerhatBangladesh1450Built by Khan Jahan Ali, it is considered to be the second-oldest mosque in Bangladesh. The fortified structure contains eighty-one domes, sixty stone pillars and eleven mihrabs.
Neevin MosqueLahorePakistan1460

BuildingImageLocationCountryFirst builtDenominationNotes-
Al-Qibli Mosque Jerusalem Palestine/
Israel
A Muslim prayer hall with a silver-colored lead dome located in the southern part of Al-Aqsa Mosque, built by the Rashidun caliph Umar ibn Al-Khattab.-
Al-Shuaibiyah MosqueAleppoSyria-
Ibrahimi MosqueHebronPalestine-
Great Mosque of AleppoAleppoSyria-
Umayyad MosqueDamascusSyriaSunniNational Mosque. It was originally built after the Muslim conquest of the city in 634. The current structure dates to 715.-
White MosqueRamlaIsrael720
Al-Omari MosqueBosraSyria-
Great Mosque of RaqqaRaqqaSyria-
Arab Ahmet MosqueArab Ahmet quarter of NicosiaCyprusLate 16th centuryThe mosque is named after a commander of the 1571 Ottoman army who made an expedition in 1571.-

BuildingImageLocationCountryFirst builtDenominationNotes
Ayasofya Mosque IstanbulTurkey1453 Built in 537 as a Greek Orthodox cathedral, converted to a mosque in 1453, and then a museum in 1931. In 2020, it was again converted into a mosque by order of a Turkish court.
Great Mosque of KufaKufaIraqShiaThe mosque, built in the 7th century, contains the remains of Muslim ibn Aqeel – first cousin of Husayn ibn Ali, his companion Hani ibn Urwa, and the revolutionary Mukhtar al-Thaqafi.
Maqam al-Imam al-Husayn MosqueKarbalaIraqShiaReconstructed several times, including in 1016.
Jameh Mosque of FerdowsFerdowsIran7th century
Masjid al-HisnMopsuestia, Adana ProvinceTurkeyBuilt by the Umayyad caliph Umar II, as part of his conversion of the city into a military base to shield Antioch from a potential Greek attack. The building fell into ruin during the reign of Al-Mu'tasim, approximately 120 years later.
Jameh Mosque of IsfahanIsfahanIran
Jameh Mosque of FahrajFahrajIran
Tarikhaneh MosqueDamghanIran8th century
Great Mosque of SamarraSamarraIraq
Al-Askari MosqueSamarraIraqShia Shrine of the 10th and 11th Twelver Shi'ite Imams: Ali al-Hadi and Hasan al-Askari.
Imam Ali MosqueNajafIraqShia, SunniHouses the tomb of Ali ibn Abi Talib, Muhammad's cousin and fourth Caliph, and the first person of the Shia Imamate.
Great Mosque of DiyarbakırDiyarbakırTurkey1092SunniOne of the oldest known mosques in modern Turkey.
Yivliminare Mosque AntalyaTurkey1230
Aslanhane MosqueAnkaraTurkey1290

BuildingImageLocationCountryFirst builtDenominationNotes
Po-i-KalyanBukharaUzbekistanSince 713 here, several edifices of main cathedral mosque were built then razed, restored after fires and wars, and moved from place to place.

BuildingImageLocationCountryFirst builtDenominationNotes
Juma MosqueShamakhiAzerbaijanBuilt in 743–744, set on fire by Armenian units of "Dashnaktsutiun" in 1918, reconstructed in 2009.
Blue MosqueYerevanArmeniaMid-18th century

BuildingImageLocationCountryFirst builtDenominationNotes
Great Mosque of Cordoba Córdoba, AndalusiaSpain It was built on the main church of the city after the site was being divided and shared between Muslims and Christians for around seven decades. The great mosque was built by Abd al-Rahman I, the first Muslim ruler of Spain in 785, it underwent successive extensions in the 9th and 10th centuries and was concluded in 10th century under the command of Almanzor. After the Christian reconquest of Cordoba in 1236, Ferdinand III of Castile converted the mosque into a cathedral, suffering some alterations that will end up configuring the current Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba. With, it was the second largest mosque in the world on the surface, after Al-Haram Mosque in Mecca, only later replaced in this respect by the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Istanbul in 1588.
Mosque of Cristo de la LuzToledo, Castile-La ManchaSpain
Mosque of las TorneríasToledo, Castile-La ManchaSpain al-Mustimim
Ribat of ArrifanaAljezur, AlgarvePortugal Probably constructed by Abu-l-Qasim Ahmad ibn al-Husayn ibn Qasi, governor of Silves and a rebel leader against the Almoravid dynasty.
Church of Nossa Senhora da AnunciaçãoMértola, AlentejoPortugal The most unique and most identifiable former mosque in Portugal, although a mixture of Almohad and Manueline post-Gothic architecture. The mosque was last rebuilt in the second half of 12th century but some of its elements date as far back as the 9th century.
Al-Ulya / Church of São ClementeTavira, AlgarvePortugal Only parts of the original minaret of the former mosque exists, now used as a church bell tower. It's 22.7 metres tall and 4.2 metres across. Across it lies the old Arab cemetery of Jardim dos Amuados.
Mosque of TórtolesTarazona, AragonSpain Almost not altered in the later centuries.

BuildingImageLocationFirst builtDenominationNotes
Dzhuma MosqueDerbent, Dagestan

BuildingImageLocationCountryFirst builtDenominationNotes
Al-Agha MosqueDragašKosovo1268Built by Muslims who migrated from Aleppo, in Syria, to Kosovo. However, the mosque is today a ruin.
Dzhumaya MosquePlovdivBulgaria1363–1364Built during the reign of Sultan Murad II the old building was demolished and replaced by the modern-day mosque.
Sailors' MosqueUlcinjMontenegro14th century
Halit Efendi MosqueSlupčane, Lipkovo MunicipalityNorth Macedonia1415It is considered to be the oldest mosque in North Macedonia. However, as a result of the various renovation works, the building has been altered to such an extent that it is no longer in its original state.
Turhan Emin-Beg MosqueUstikolinaBosnia and Herzegovina1448–1449Built by Turhan Emin-beg. Known to have been destroyed two times and rebuilt two times.
Fatih Mosque, ElbasanElbasan CastleAlbania1466Built by the orders of Sultan Mehmed II.
Old Mosque, Plav PlavMontenegro1471Built during the Ottoman rule in the city.
King Mosque or Sultan Bayazit MosqueElbasanAlbania1482
Iljaz Mirahori MosqueKorçëAlbania1494It was built by Iljaz Hoxha, also known as Iljaz Bey Mirahor, and is a Cultural Monument of Albania.
Mosque of KuklibeuPrizrenKosovo1534
Mosque of Muderis Ali EfendiPrizrenKosovo1543–1581
Esmahan Sultan MosqueMangaliaRomania1575Oldest mosque in Romania
Poland1558 Tatar mosques in Poland were noted in a 1558 treatise Risale-i Tatar-i Lech.
Lithuania 1500–1600Various records indicate Lithuanian Tatars built mosques in the Duchy during the 16th century
Mosque of Sinan PashaPrizrenKosovo1615
Log pod Mangartom MosqueLog pod Mangartom, Municipality of BovecSlovenia 1916Built by Bosniak members of the Austro-Hungarian army.
Gunja MosqueGunjaCroatia1969The first and one of the few mosques in Croatia, located near the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Vienna Islamic Centre-MosqueViennaAustria1979
Brno MosqueBrnoCzech Republic1998Construction began 1996, inaugurated 1998.

BuildingImageLocationCountryFirst builtDenominationNotes
Sheik Karimal Makdum MosqueTubig Indangan, Simunul island, BangsamoroPhilippines1380Founded by Makhdum Karim, who introduced Islam to the Philippines.
Wapauwe Old MosqueKaitetu, Central Maluku Regency, MalukuIndonesia1414The oldest surviving mosque in Indonesia.
Ampel MosqueAmpel, Surabaya, East JavaIndonesia1421The oldest surviving mosque in Java, and second oldest in Indonesia.
Masjid Sultan Sharif AliBruneiBrunei1430 Built under the direction of Sharif Ali, who reigned 1425-1432.
Great Mosque of DemakDemak, Central JavaIndonesia15th centuryOldest mosque in Central Java and second oldest in Java.
300 Years MosqueNarathiwatThailand17th centuryIt is at least one of the oldest known mosques in Thailand.
Masjid Omar Kampong MelakaCentral AreaSingapore1820Originally a wooden structure built by Arab merchant Syed Omar Ali Aljunied.

BuildingImageLocationCountryFirst builtDenominationNotes
Liverpool Mosque and Muslim InstituteLiverpool, EnglandUnited Kingdom1891Liverpool Muslim InstituteSeveral sources state that a mosque was founded in 1860 at 2 Glynrhondda Street, Cardiff, Wales. This has been rejected by an academic paper as a transcription error.
Dublin Mosque and Islamic CentreDublinIreland1976The first purpose-built mosque was built in Ballyhaunis in 1987.

BuildingImageLocationCountryFirst builtDenominationNotes
Grand Mosque of ParisParis France1926This mosque was the first mosque built in France since the 8th century; it was built in the Moroccan style, and honored Muslim French veterans of World War I.
Wünsdorf MosqueWünsdorf, BerlinGermany1915Erected in 1915 by the Imperial German Army administration for Muslim Allied prisoners of war in the POW camp in Wünsdorf, later used as refugee camp. In 1930 torn down due to lack of a congregation.
Mobarak MosqueThe HagueNetherlands1955The first known purpose-built mosque in the Netherlands.
Centre Islamique de Genève GenevaSwitzerland1961Founded by Said Ramadan

BuildingImageLocationCountryFirst builtDenominationNotes
Kobe MosqueKobeJapan1935Designed in the Turkish style by a Czech architect, confiscated by the Imperial Japanese Navy in 1943, and later returned.
Seoul Central MosqueSeoulSouth Korea1976

BuildingImageLocationCountryFirst builtDenominationNotes
Järvenpää mosqueFinland1942A mosque of the community of Finnish Tatars. It is considered to be the oldest mosque in Nordic countries. Finland's first Muslim cemetery was established in the 1830s for Russian troops.
Hvidovre, outside CopenhagenDenmark1967Founded by the Ahmadiyya; first purpose-built mosque in a Nordic country.
Islamic Cultural Centre NorwayOsloNorway1974Founded by Pakistani-Norwegians aided by Danish Muslims; of the Sunni Deobandi school. The first Shi'i mosque, Anjuman-e Hussain, opened in 1975; the first Sunni Barelvi mosque opened in 1976.
Nasir Mosque,GothenburgSweden1976
StockholmSweden2000Converted from Katarinastation, a former power station.
Reykjavík MosqueReykjavikIceland2002Not a purpose-built mosque, but serves as an interim gathering site.

Oceania

BuildingImageLocationCountryFirst builtDenominationNotes
Marree MosqueMarree, South AustraliaAustralia1861 / 1882Small structure in the South Australian desert built by Australia's "Afghan" camel-drivers, has been restored.
Central Adelaide MosqueAdelaideAustralia1888The oldest major city mosque in the country.
AucklandNew Zealand1979 Cornerstone laid in 1979; the first Islamic centre in the country was installed in an Auckland house bought in 1959.

BuildingImageLocationCountryFirst builtDenominationNotes
Vitogo, Nausori, and TavuaFiji1922 A number of wooden mosques were built by local Islamic assemblies around 1922.
Port MoresbyPapua New Guinea2000Islam was introduced to the island in the 1970s, and the first Islamic centre established in 1988.