Feb 19 β€’ 17:00 UTC πŸ‡ΆπŸ‡¦ Qatar Al Jazeera

The story of the mosque.. 'Mohammed Al-Azraq' in Sudan

The article discusses the history and significance of the Mohammed Al-Azraq mosque in eastern Sudan, focusing on its political influences and the family behind its establishment.

The Mohammed Al-Azraq mosque, located in Qadarif, eastern Sudan, has a rich history intertwined with political events. Its construction was initiated by Sheikh Mohammed Al-Azraq and his brother, Haj Ali, during the mid-19th century amid a backdrop of political turmoil following the killing of Ismail, the son of the Egyptian governor Muhammad Ali Pasha. This conflict forced the Al-Azraq family to migrate and eventually establish their roots in Qadarif, where they founded the mosque between 1845 and 1850.

The narrative also highlights the mosque's significance post the demise of Sheikh Mohammed Al-Azraq, when political influences once again shaped its fate. Following his death, the Khalifa Abdullah Al-Taiashi summoned the children of Sheikh Mohammed to Omdurman as part of a larger trend of political centralization in the region, which affected many religious leaders at the time. This request stalled the mosque's activities for several years, displaying the intricate relationship between governance and religious institutions in Sudan.

In contemporary times, the mosque has regained its pivotal role in the community, thanks to its revival by Sheikh Ahmed Al-Haj, a relative of the original founder and a notable scholar of the Maliki school of thought. His efforts reflect a broader renewal of religious and cultural practices within Sudan, signifying the ongoing importance of the mosque in local and national discourse.

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