16th Century Mosque

Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The mosque of Tsingoni, located on the Great Land of Mayotte, is the oldest active mosque in France, dating from at least the sixteenth century. It was built under the influence of Shirazian and Swahilia cultures, when Tsingoni was the capital of the Sultanate of Mayotte. Its carved coral mihrab, dated 1538, was commanded by Sultan Ali bin Mohamed (called "Haisa"), who made it a royal place and a major religious symbol in the Comoros archipelago. The mosque, partially destroyed and restored several times, retains original elements such as the north gate and the mihrab.

The mosque underwent numerous transformations, notably in the 19th century, in 1986, 1991 (addition of a minaret), and 2004, to adapt to the increase in its attendance. Despite these extensions, 14th century remains, such as Shirazian cemeteries and mausoleums, remain. Ranked a historic monument in 2012 and 2015, it has been the subject of a major restoration project since 2014 to preserve its unique architectural heritage, including archaeological excavations conducted by INRAP in 2016 and 2023.

The mihrab, the central element of the mosque, is a masterpiece of coral sculpture, decorated with inscriptions confirming its construction in 1538 during the reign of Sultan Haissa. The adjacent mausoleums, attributed to members of his family, illustrate the Shirazian architectural influence, similar to that observed in Domoni, Anjouan. The mosque, a symbol of Islam in Mayotte, remains an active place of worship and an exceptional witness to cultural exchanges between East Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and the Indian Ocean.

The protection and restoration of the mosque was initiated after its classification in 2012, with work funded in part by the Heritage Lotto in 2019. The interventions aim to find historical devices, such as natural ventilation or mihrab decorations, while using traditional materials (coral lime, basaltic sand). In 2024, controversy arose over the use of cement, denied by the mastery of the work. The mosque is also shown on a Mahorian stamp (1998) and a coin of 10 € (2011).

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