BY: Dr. Hana Saada
Commencing April 21, 2025, Djamaâ El Djazaïr Opens Its Doors to Worshippers and Visitors Under an Updated Schedule Enhancing Accessibility and Spiritual Engagement
Algiers, Algeria | April 21st, 2025 — The administration of Djamaâ El Djazaïr, Africa’s largest mosque and a shining architectural jewel on the shores of the Mediterranean, has announced new daily opening hours for worshippers and visitors. This adjustment, effective Monday, April 21, 2025 (22 Shawwal 1446 AH), reflects a broader commitment to ensuring access to the mosque’s spiritual, cultural, and touristic dimensions while preserving the sanctity and organization of religious practice within its monumental walls.
In an official communiqué issued on Sunday evening, the Mosque’s Rectorate detailed the revised schedule as follows:
The gates of Djamaâ El Djazaïr will open for Fajr prayer from the first call to prayer (Adhan al-Awwal) until 30 minutes after the completion of the morning prayer (Salat al-Subh). This allows worshippers the tranquil spiritual atmosphere of dawn prayers in one of the world’s most majestic religious edifices.
Beyond the Fajr prayer window, the mosque will reopen daily at 10:00 a.m., welcoming visitors—both domestic and international—for cultural tours, religious contemplation, and architectural admiration. The site will remain open until 30 minutes after the conclusion of the evening prayer (Salat al-Isha’), thereby allowing ample time for evening devotionals and serene spiritual experience under the illuminated domes of the complex.
Djamaâ El Djazaïr: A Modern Bastion of Religious and Cultural Integrity
Djamaâ El Djazaïr, located in the heart of Algiers within the Mohammadia commune, stands as a prominent symbol of religious and cultural significance. Renowned for its modernist interpretation of Islamic architecture, the mosque serves not only as the largest in Africa but also as the third largest globally, following Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and Masjid al-Nabawi in Medina.
Architecturally, Djamaâ El Djazaïr represents a fusion of modernist design with traditional Andalusian influences. Its structure features intricate geometric patterns and elaborate decorations crafted from wood, marble, and alabaster. The mosque’s interior is adorned with six kilometers of Koranic text rendered in Arabic calligraphy, complemented by turquoise prayer mats that enhance the spiritual ambiance.
Spanning 27.75 hectares, the mosque’s prayer hall is expansive, covering over 2 hectares and accommodating up to 120,000 worshipers. This vast hall, shaped like a massive cube approximately 145 meters on each side and standing 22.5 meters high, integrates religious elements such as the Qibla wall, Mihrab, and Minbar within a contemporary aesthetic framework.
The mosque’s minaret is a standout feature, recognized as the tallest in the world at 265 meters. Equipped with elevators, it provides sweeping views of Algiers and the Bay of Algiers, resembling a skyscraper in its scope. The minaret houses several public amenities, including the Museum of Algerian History, two research centers, and a public viewing platform at its pinnacle.
Beyond its architectural grandeur, the mosque complex encompasses a range of cultural and educational facilities. These include a Quranic house, an Islamic cultural center, a library, a museum of Islamic art and history, research centers, and an Imam School. These amenities underscore the mosque’s role as a hub for religious, social, and cultural engagement.
The mosque also features an expansive outdoor plaza, administrative offices, underground parking for 6,000 vehicles, green spaces, and retail outlets distributed across 12 independent buildings. Notably, it is equipped with a sophisticated anti-seismic system designed to absorb over 70% of earthquake forces, ensuring structural resilience.
In essence, Djamaâ El Djazaïr epitomizes modern Islam, blending educational, cultural, and social functions with a steadfast commitment to combating extremism and fostering religious tolerance. Its design and facilities reflect Algeria’s dedication to advancing both spiritual and intellectual growth within a framework of modernity and resilience.
