Mosque of Abou El Mouhadjir Dinar - Mila
This mosque is the first to be built in Algeria and the second in the Arab Maghreb after that of Okba in Kaïrawan (Tunisia). Built in the year 69 AH / 679 AD. BC, by the commander of the conquering army and pious companion of the prophet (Salvation be upon Him) Abou El Mouhadjir Dinar on the ruins of a Roman church, it is located to the west of the ancient city of Mila, at the place known today as the “old French barracks”. The building currently houses the city museum, called the Mosque of Sidi Ghanem.
The mosque is characterized by its simple architectural style, to which modifications have been made in order to conform to Islamic architecture.
The mosque is made up of posts parallel to the wall of the kibla and slabs stored on them, this being a rectangular stone construction with dimensions equal to: 29.56 x 0.80 x 23.50m.
The mosque has several entrances, the most important of which is the main entrance located to the east of the building and containing Arabic calligraphies traced in Kufi script and in baked brick arranged with the following expression (Blessing of Mohammed), in addition to secondary entrances.
Currently, the mosque has a prayer room and a patio. During the colonial period, the French government exploited it and undertook numerous changes such as the demolition of the minaret located in the northeast wing and the ablution room, as well as the neighboring Imam's residence. The colonizers also added rooms and annexes to the side of the east wing at the main entrance, while destroying the niche of the prayer room characterized by its orientation towards the south, contrary to the position of the kibla.
The mosque is characterized by its simple architectural style, to which modifications have been made in order to conform to Islamic architecture.
The mosque is made up of posts parallel to the wall of the kibla and slabs stored on them, this being a rectangular stone construction with dimensions equal to: 29.56 x 0.80 x 23.50m.
The mosque has several entrances, the most important of which is the main entrance located to the east of the building and containing Arabic calligraphies traced in Kufi script and in baked brick arranged with the following expression (Blessing of Mohammed), in addition to secondary entrances.
Currently, the mosque has a prayer room and a patio. During the colonial period, the French government exploited it and undertook numerous changes such as the demolition of the minaret located in the northeast wing and the ablution room, as well as the neighboring Imam's residence. The colonizers also added rooms and annexes to the side of the east wing at the main entrance, while destroying the niche of the prayer room characterized by its orientation towards the south, contrary to the position of the kibla.