Historic Mosques in Lamu
Khoja Ithnasheri Mosque: Twelvers Shi’ites
Khoja Ithnasheri Mosque is found along Lamu’s main street overlooking the sea, infront of Lamu Fort. It is home to the Ithnasheris (Twelvers), an old ways Shi’ite sect who are known by that name because they follow a line of 12 imams, starting with Ali and ending with Muhammed al-Mahdi who disappeared (into seclusion) in 879. Those in Kenya, and Lamu Island, however, are of relatively recent origin, all being Khoja Ismailis who broke away in the latter half of the 19th century due to a lengthy dispute over the management of the community finances. Members of the newly-forming Khoja Ithnasheri community in East Africa gravitated in large numbers to Lamu where one of their leaders, Dewji Jamal, and others had been trading (as Khoja Ismailis) from perhaps as early as the 1850s, certainly from 1870.
Circa 1870, Dewji Jamal, a rich Ithna-Asheri merchant of Bombay and Zanzibar established a branch of his company Dewji Jamal & Co in Lamu, which was at the time the chief port of Kenya. The period 1880-1890 witnessed a large number of Ithnaasheri arrivals to Lamu Island. Most of the new arrivals came from Kutch or Kathiawad but some also came from the older Khoja settlements along the East African coast like Bagamoyo, Zanzibar and Kilwa. In 1883 seven sons of Kanji Asani left Jamkhambalia (near Jamnagar) in Kathiawad and arrived in Lamu after a forty day journey by dhow. Each of the brothers established shops in Lamu town from where they carried out a flourishing import export business. Then in 1885 Dewji Jamal’s sons, Nazerali Naseer and Jaffer Dewji, arrived in Lamu from Zanzibar.
Because Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheris arriving in Lamu came with their families by 1895, the population of Khoja Shia Ithna-asheris had increased to about three hundred. Initially the Ithna-asheris met at individual homes to perform the ‘majlis’, ‘matam’ and other communal observances. In 1896 Dewji Jamal bought land for building a mosque-imambara. The Jamat meanwhile established a fund to raise the capital required to erect the mosque-imambara. Nasser Dewji supervised the construction and played a leading role in the collection efforts. In the same year Jaffer Dewji left for Mombasa to run the Mombasa branch of Dewji Jamal & Co.
Soon after Jaffer Dewji’s departure, the Lamu Khoja Shia Ithna-asheri community plunged into a decade of communal discord. In short order the strife began, one faction, with the help contributions from Zanzibar, built a temporary new mosque outside the 1896 mosque-imambara. This was later re-built in the 1900’s with contributions from Jivraj Khatau, Jivraj Meghji and others who had left Mombasa’s “Bustani” into the splendid mosque that can be seen today on the Lamu sea front.
In the 1920’s and 30’s the population of the Lamu jamat began to decline steadily. By the end of the Second World War most Khojas had migrated to Mombasa. One reason for the migration was that Mombasa had displaced Lamu as the chief port of Kenya. As the Ithnasheris in Lamu dwindled, to near extinctions, they handed the mosque over to the local community. It still looks much as it did when it was built over a century ago – with whitewashed exterior and its four quaint green spires marking it out among the prettiest building on Lamu’s waterfront. And the name Shia Ithna-Ashe ri Mosque-Lamu is still clearly visible over the entrance.
Islam first arrived in the coastal regions of Kenya through Arab and Persian traders, by the 8th century. At the prominent city-states such as Mombasa, Malindi, and Lamu that emerged along the Kenyan coast are many historic mosque from different eras. Islam in Kenya today represents a diverse and dynamic part of the country’s fabric, represented in beautiful mosque.
Index of Historic Mosques Around Kenya
Isiolo County - Isiolo Jamia Mosque, Kilifi County - The Great Mosque at Gede, Qubba Mosque, Kisumu County - The Arab, Nubian and Swahili Mosques, Kwale County - Kongo Mosque, Diani Mosque, Kirinyaga County - Mosque of Jesus Christ Son of Mary, Lamu County - Khoja Ithnasheri Mosque, Riyadha Mosque, Friday Mosque at Shela, Mombasa County - Badala Mosque, The Mandhry Mosque, Burhani Mosque, Musa Mosque, Muranga County - Mjini Mosque, Nairobi County - Khoja Mosque, Jamia Mosque, Ahmadiyya Mosque, Wajir County - The Noor Mosque, Eldas Jamia Mosque
outlook
Lamu County is one of Kenya’s most unique and enchanting regions, known for its rich Swahili culture, pristine beaches, and UNESCO-listed heritage. Located on the northern coast of Kenya, it consists of a group of islands (Lamu, Manda, Pate, and Kiwayu) and a stretch of mainland coastline. Lamu Island in particular is more than just a destination—it’s a living piece of Swahili history and coastal paradise.
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Explore Destinations Nearby Khoja Ithnasheri Mosque
A Guide to Lamu County
A Summa Digest of Lamu
About Lamu Way Back When
70 Destinations in Lamu County, arranged as one would visit these - west, south, north then west - with aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Delta Dunes Lodge, Lake Moa, Old Town Witu, Witu Forest Reserve, Pangani Swamp, Lake Kiboko, Amu Ranch, Lake Amu, Kipini Conservancy, Lake Kenyatta, Amu Baharini Beach, Kizuke Beach, Lamu (Manda) Port, Red Pepper House, Lamu Island, Matondoni Dau Workshop, Matondoni Ruins, Tusitiri Dhow, Kipungani Ruins, Kizingoni Beach, Old Town Lamu, Lamu World Heritage Sector, Lamu Museum, The Swahili House Museum, German Post Office Museum, Lamu Fort, Lamu Market, Masjid Khoja Ithnasheri, Masjid Riyadha, House of Habib Swaleh, The Mosque College Lamu, Lamu Catholic Church, Tamarind Tree Cafe, Donkey Sanctuary, The Floating Bar, Boat Rides, MaraRaha, Kijani Hotel, Shela Village, Friday Masjid, Forodhani House, Peponi Hotel, Shela Beach, Bahari Restaurant, Fort at Shela, Ras Kitau, Diamond Village, The Maljis, Takwa Ruins, Manda Island, Manda Lodge, Manda Toto, Manda Coral Quarry, Nabahani Ruins, Pate Island, Shanga Ruins, Siyu Fort, Shindamweh, Atu Ruins, Chundwa Ruins, Faza Village, Lamu Monuments, Mangrove Forests, Dodori National Reserve, Kiunga Marine N. Reserve, Kiwayu Island, Ashuwei, Boni Forest National Reserve, Ishakani Ruins, Lamu Festivals
Know More About Lamu County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Lamu County lies along the Equatorial Climate System, enjoying two rainy seasons and temperatures between 24°C and 30°C year round – Hottest in December & April. Expect warm temperatures year-round, high humidity, and distinct wet and dry seasons – monsoon winds.
Lamu is composed of a coastal zone of 65 islands, vast creeks, bays, sand bars and mangrove. Among these, Lamu Island, hosting Lamu Town, is the bussiest. The mainland is flat to undulating.