Mosquée Mâlik ibn Anas (Mâlik ibn Anas Mosque), Tunis

The Mâlik ibn Anas Mosque, originally named El Abidine, is situated on a site known as Odeon Hill. It was constructed close to the archaeological site of Carthage, adjacent to the Odeon and the Basilica of Damous El Karita. The mosque opened in 2003 and consists of a prayer room that can hold up to 1,000 worshippers, an internal courtyard spanning 1,500 square meters, an esplanade of 2,500 square meters, and a minaret that is nine meters in diameter and 55 meters high.

The mosque's exterior is constructed from reinforced concrete veils covered with marble and marble stone that are secured with stainless steel fixtures. The beige-colored marble stone was quarried in the southern suburbs of Tunis and used to decorate the arch stones, cornices, domes, and floors.

The mosque's interior is air-conditioned, with air blown through the wooden moucharabiehs of the doors and stucco motifs. The building's volumes follow an order of symmetry and axiality seen in ancient monuments, with heights of 17 meters under the false ceiling of the central nave and 24 meters under the prayer room's dome.

Access to the mosque is through a large esplanade, which leads to a gate adorned with the names of Allah and verses from the Quran. The mosque's large doors, which measure eight meters in height and weigh three tons, are made of oak and equipped with metal frames and an outer face in wrought copper. The entrance hall is inspired by the decor of old residences of city notables, with blue and turquoise ceramic panels featuring Andalusian-inspired floral motifs.

The Mâlik ibn Anas Mosque's architecture is a true testament to the skill and craftsmanship of Tunisian artisans and craftsmen, with its intricate details, exquisite decorations, and stunning design, making it a must-see destination for anyone interested in Islamic art and architecture.