ISESCO announces the Restoration of the Historic Mosque in Chinguetti

Dr. Salem bin Mohammed Al-Malik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), announced that the Organization will restore the ancient Chinguetti Mosque in the historical district classified as Islamic heritage and world heritage, and the Imam’s house, and take care of the internal and external courtyards of the mosque, in agreement with the Ministry of Culture, Arts, Communication and Relations with Parliament, and in full respect of the technical requirements related to cultural heritage.

This came after Dr. Al-Malik’s visit to the mosque, on the sidelines of his attendance at the opening of the 13th edition of the “Heritage Cities” festival, which began in the city of Chinguetti in Mauritania, on Friday (December 13, 2024).

During the visit, the Director General of ISESCO toured the various corridors of the mosque and its internal and external courtyards, during which he was briefed on its history and the great historical symbolism of this Islamic architecture, and being a landmark that contributed to the graduation of thousands of scholars over more than ten centuries, and a basic starting point for pilgrims from West Africa.

He explained that the decision to restore the ancient Chinguetti Mosque comes within the distinguished partnership between ISESCO and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, and within the framework of the Organization’s role in preserving heritage.

It is noteworthy that the ancient Chinguetti Mosque is one of the most prominent landmarks of the heritage city, as it represents a unique architectural model that combines simplicity and accurate engineering coordination, and was established for the first time in 160 AH, in ancient Chinguetti, before it was transferred in the second foundation to its current place in 660 AH.