Kobe Mosque
Mosque in Kobe, Hyōgo, Japan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Kōbe Mosque (Japanese: 神戸モスク, romanized: Kōbe Mosuku), also known as the Kōbe Muslim Mosque (Japanese: 神戸ムスリムモスク, romanized: Kōbe Musurimu Mosuku, is a mosque located in Kōbe, in the Hyōgo Prefecture of Japan. Founded in October 1935, it is Japan's first mosque.[1][2] Its construction was funded by donations collected by the Islamic Committee of Kōbe from 1928.[a] The mosque was confiscated by the Imperial Japanese Navy in 1943, survived airaids in 1945, and withstood the Great Hanshin earthquake of 1995.[4] It is located in the Kitano-cho foreign district of Kobe, one of the city's best-known tourist areas which features many old western style buildings.[5]
| Kobe Mosque | |
|---|---|
神戸モスク | |
| |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Islam |
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status | Mosque |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 2-25-14 Nakayamate Dori, Chuo-ku, Kōbe-shi, Hyōgo Prefecture |
  Shown within Hyōgo Prefecture | |
 Interactive map of Kobe Mosque | |
| Coordinates | 34°41′46″N 135°11′16″E |
| Architecture | |
| Architect | Jan Josef Švagr |
| Style | Indo-Islamic |
| Completed | 1935 |
| Minaret | 2 |
| Website | |
| https://www.kobemosque.com/ | |
The mosque was built in traditional Indo-Islamic style by the Czech architect Jan Josef Švagr (1885–1969), the architect of a number of Western religious buildings throughout Japan.
History
The Kobe Mosque's construction, initiated by the Islamic Committee of Kobe in 1928, overcame financial and logistical hurdles. However, it was confiscated by the Imperial Japanese Navy in 1943 during World War II but survived the 1945 air raids largely unscathed.[7] The mosque was damaged during the Great Hanshin earthquake of 1995 but did not completely collapse.[8] Due to its endurance, it has also been called the "Miracle Mosque."[9]
Architecture
Constructed in 1935 by the Takenaka Corporation,[10] the mosque has a reinforced concrete structure. Its architectural style is a fusion of traditional Asian-Turkish influences[11] and was designed by architect Jan Josef Švagr.[11]
Located at 2 Nakayamate Douri, Chuo-Ku, the mosque spans three levels above ground and one underground level.[12] Its roofing comprises a combination of flat roofs and domes with wooden structures and copper roofing. The walls are finished with exposed-aggregate.[13]
Gallery
An aerial view of the mosque in 1936, showcasing its early architectural grandeur and historical significance
The prayer hall
Architect (Jan Josef Švagr; 7 September 1885 – 26 March 1969) of Kobe Mosque in Japan
See also
Notes
- Aga Khan III was a major contributor. He facilitated a meeting between the then East Pakistan Prime Minister and the Emperor of Japan to discuss the building of a mosque in Japan. The Emperor offered land for the mosque's construction.[3]
