Mosque Name: Mosque of Sidi ‘Ukba
Country: Algeria
City: Biska
Year of construction (AH): 67 AH
Year of construction (AD): 686 AD
GPS: 34°44’57.81”N 5°53’50.99”E
Gibson Classification: Parallel
Rebuilt facing Mecca: 416 AH & 1214 AH
Description:
There are several buildings on this site, some older, and some quite modern. The battle site where Uqba was killed is about 200 meters north west of the mosque and mausoleum. The earliest buildings date to 67 AH (686 CE) and were constructed of mud. The Sidi ‘Uqba mosque was originally built beside ‘Uqba ibn Nafi’s tomb. The tomb itself had no qibla or mihrab, but the mosque faced 149 degrees to the south. There are a number of inscriptions in the old mosque. For instance while the construction of the tomb is given as 67⁄686 according to an inscription on the tomb, there are some epitaphs on the mosque dating a reconstruction to 416 AH (1025 CE).
Another inscription on a wooden plank on a wall carries a date of 1215 AH (1800); similarly the mosque’s mihrab is dated to 1214 AH (1789). Despite there having been two reconstructions, and one of them specifically dealing with the mihrab, the overall orientation of the old mosque, and the modern structure built over the mausoleum all face 149 degrees south. It is interesting that the old imam at the mosque assures visitors that the qibla direction was not changed during recent renovations, and that they all face towards Mecca.
Recent visitors have confirmed that the early remains of the original mosque (now beside the new mosque) face south east at 149 degrees, very similar to other early North Africa mosques. This can be seen in the second photo below, where the ancient mosque faces south, while the modern mosque faces more east towards Mecca.
You can learn about the creation of the Parallel Qibla at this link.
Bibliography:
Ali Lafer “*Sidi ‘Uqba (mosque, minaret and tomb)*” in Discover Islamic Art, Museum With No Frontiers, 2016 http://www.discoverislamicart.org/database_item.php?id=monument;isl;dz;mon01;15;en
Captain H. Simon, “*Notes sur le mausolée de Sidi Okba*” (Revue Africaine, 1909, pl. III)
An early photo of the original mosque. The tower still stands in the new structure.
Location of the various buildings at the site. The structure of the old mosque is ancient if not original, as well as the qibla wall. They did do quite a bit of renovation, but it hasn't affected the structure or integrity.
The Mihrab as it is today
The Imam tried to insist that the old mosque was also facing to Mecca, but the Qibla finder shows it's actually towards Zimbabwe. The wooden door is the original also of the ancient mosque.
Inscription spoken by Okba
Page Discussion
Membership is required to comment. Membership is free of charge and available to everyone over the age of 16. Just click SignUp, or make a comment below. You will need a user name and a password. The system will automatically send a code to your email address. It should arrive in a few minutes. Enter the code, and you are finished.
Members who post adverts or use inappropriate language or make disrespectful comments will have their membership removed and be barred from the site. By becoming a member you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy, Cookies & Ad Policies. Remember that we will never, under any circumstances, sell or give your email address or private information to anyone unless required by law. Please keep your comments on topic. Thanks!