Landhies Mosque declared national monument
Nairobi – The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Heritage has unveiled its latest endeavor in cultural preservation, designating the Ja- mia Mosque Railway Landhies as a na- tional monument.
Cabinet Secretary Peninah Malonza made the eagerly awaited announcement on Friday, formalizing the mosque’s new status through a gazette notice issued on July 27.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 25 (1) (b) of the National Museums and Heritage Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage declares all that structure known as Jamia Mosque Railway Landhies, situated on the intersection of Landhies and Pumwani Roads in Starehe Constituency, Nairobi County which she considers to be of architectural, historical and socio-cultural interest to be a national monument within the meaning of the Act,’’ read part of the ga- zette notice.
Situated at the crossroads of Landhies and Pumwani Roads in Starehe Constituency, Nairobi County, Jamia Mosque Railway Landhies holds a pivotal role in the history of East African railway construction.
Jamia Mosque Railway Landhies is managed by Al Momin Foundation. Photo/ GT News
The mosque, whose origins trace back to 1900, has been granted national monument status due to its profound architectural, historical, and socio-cultural significance.
This declaration comes under the powers vested in the Ministry by section 25 (1) (b) of the National Museums and Heritage Act.
The mosque whose construction dates back to 1900, joins 375 other Gazetted monuments in Kenya because of its rich historical interest and unique heritage.
The mosque joins the ranks of 375 other Gazetted monuments across Kenya, standing as a testament to the rich historical tap- estry of the region.
Jamia Mosque Railway Landhies, managed by the Al Momin Foundation, stands as an enduring symbol of historical significance, primarily due to its role in the propagation of Islam in East Africa.
The mosque’s history is closely intertwined with the development of the railway line in the region.
As Asian migrants arrived in the area, they recognized the need for both a place of worship and a center for social wel- fare and Islamic religious education for their children.
In response, two mosques were constructed in 1899 near the Railway Station in the Muthurwa area of Nairobi.