First Mosque in Africa

The Mosque of the Companions (مَسْجِد ٱلصَّحَابَة‎) is a historic mosque located in the city of Massawa, Eritrea. It dates back to the early 7th century C.E., making it the oldest mosque constructed in Eritrea by the initial Muslim migrants upon their arrival in Abyssinia. They erected this mosque to facilitate their prayers and named it Al-Sahaba Mosque, thus establishing it as the first mosque in Africa.

While the mosque underwent a renovation in the twentieth century, it is currently not in use. Notably, this mosque holds a unique position as the closest mosque to the Red Sea on the African side. Its significance also lies in its alignment with the Qibla Awwal (first qibla), pointing toward Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem.