Masjids in Zanzibar

Zanzibar is a predominately Muslim town. In the Old Stone town there are about 50 mosques. 

The Mnara mosque is the oldest surviving mosque in Stone town, Zanzibar, with a unique minaret dating to the 17^th century (also called the Malindi Mosque) 

Kizimkazi mosque in Zanzibar has a dated inscription recording its construction in AH500/1107AD. It still stands today as the oldest building at the very south of the archipelago.

 Beautiful Kufic script, the finest on the eastern coast of Africa, going right round the mihrab of the Kizimkazi mosque  (inspired by a calligraphy school in the Persian Gulf)

 Blue mosque - built on water in Zanzibar (referred to as' Miskiti mabluu' in Swahili)

A sign on a Zanzibar door reads:
لا إله إلا الله محمد رسول الله(lā ʾilāha ʾillallāh, Muḥammad rasūlu-llāh)

There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the messenger of God.

Ramadan Tips

The blessed month of Ramadan is here! Alhamdullilah! It is one of the greatest blessings that Allah bestows upon His muslim slaves. A chance to purify their souls, wipe their sins and get good deeds exponentially.  Everyone should take full advantage and prepare for it before it even enters. We know that the companions used to prepare 6 months before Ramadan.

We have to make sure that our Ramadan gets accepted as it is one of the occasions of good in which the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed. Our beloved Prophet (saw) said: –”Whoever fasted Ramadan with belief, hoping for the reward from Allah, all his previous sins will be forgiven.” [Bukhari/Muslim)

Here are 15 tips to help you get organized and get into ‘Ramadan mode’.

• Make up previous fasts

• Start fasting Monday and Thursday

• Finish off anything u need to so doesn’t distract you during Ramadan

• Learn rulings about fasting so can worship with knowledge

• Be consistent in reading your Qur’an and daily Azh-kaar

• Organize and plan any charity events

• Buy Eid presents

• Make a list of what you will be cooking – to avoid last minute stress in the kitchen

• Go over the do’s and don’ts of the holy month so you are totally prepared for it

• Organize what you and your children will be wearing for Eid

• Listen to Islamic talks to get you motivated and in gear for Ramadan

• Ensure you are praying your fard and Sunnahs on time

• Start getting up for tahajjud (this can be only half an hour before your fajr Salah)

• Calculate your Zakat and Sadaqa and know where you will be giving it.

• Organize a halaqa and invite all your family - give a small present to get them excited about Ramadan. 

Once you are organized, then you can spend your energy on concentrating on the real purpose of Ramadan  - which is to get closer to Allah. 

Concentrate on reading your Quran. "Everything has a beloved, and the beloved of Ramadan is the Qur'an." 

Read it with tajweed and understanding. It is known that some of the companions would complete reading the Qur’an twice or thrice in a day! Imam Shafee completed reading the Qur’an twice in a day in Ramadan, and outside of Ramadan once a day.

So let’s get organized, welcome our beloved Ramadan and focus on the Qur’an.

May Allah accept our Ramadan and our good deeds.

Ameen