Historic Mosque in Mombasa

Badala Mosque: Cutchi Sunnis School

The Indian Sunni Muslims who settled in Mombasa were of many sorts, Cutchi Sunni groups each with their own traditional skill, and also Memon merchants. But all were united in that they followed the Hanafite school of Islam, rather than the Shafi’ite school preferred by the Swahili neighbours. In 1880 they combined to build the Jamia Mosque on the edge of Old Town. Then in 1910 the Cutchi Sunnis broke off from the Memons to build their own mosque in the middle of Old Town. The Badalas, being seamen by profession, had been the first Cutchi Sunni arrivals on the East African coast: it was a Badala pilot, Ahmed ibn Majid ‘Cunha’, who in 1498 showed the navigator Vasco da Gama the sea-route from Malindi to India.

By 1705 the Badala nakhoda (captain) Jusub Adam was settled in Mombasa. Since the Badalas were not only the oldest but the largest Cutchi Sunni community in Mombasa, their name has been synonymous with Cutchi Sunni in that town. Thus the new mosque, originally a simple single storey structure, was known as the Badala Mosque. By the 1950s the Cutchi Sunni population in Mombasa had greatly increased and the new mosque was extended to accommodate its congregation consisting of Cutchi Sunnis of all sorts. But it is still known as the Badala Mosque.

Islam first arrived in the coastal regions of Kenya through Arab and Persian traders, by the 8th century. At the prominent city-states such as Mombasa, Malindi, and Lamu that emerged along the Kenyan coast are many historic mosque from different eras. Islam in Kenya today represents a diverse and dynamic part of the country’s fabric, represented in beautiful mosque.

Index of Historic Mosques Around Kenya

Isiolo County - Isiolo Jamia Mosque , Kilifi County - The Great Mosque at Gede, Qubba Mosque , Kisumu County - The Arab, Nubian and Swahili Mosques, Kwale County - Kongo Mosque, Diani Mosque, Kirinyaga County - Mosque of Jesus Christ Son of Mary, Lamu County - Khoja Ithnasheri Mosque , Riyadha Mosque , Friday Mosque at Shela , Mombasa County - Badala Mosque , The Mandhry Mosque , Burhani Mosque , Musa Mosque, Muranga County - Mjini Mosque, Nairobi County - Khoja Mosque, Jamia Mosque, Ahmadiyya Mosque, Wajir County - The Noor Mosque, Eldas Jamia Mosque

Well-famous for its rich Swahili culture, stunning beaches, and vibrant nightlife – acclaimed as one of the top destinations in Kenya – Mombasa County is home to Mombasa City, Kenya’s second-largest city and a primary port town that has been a key trade center for centuries. Mombasa County is more than just beaches—it’s a cultural melting pot with history, adventure, and guaranteed coastal vibes.

You Are Here: Badala (Badhala) Mosque

Where to Next?

Explore Destinations Nearby Badala (Badhala) Mosque

A Guide to Mombasa County

A Summa Digest of Mombasa

About Mombasa Way Back When

80 Destinations in Mombasa County , arranged as one would visit these - south, north then east - with the aid of in-depth narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:

Arab Rifle's Monument , Buli Monument , Fort Jesus Curio Shop , Camel Joint, Old Town Mombasa , Fort Jesus Museum I World Heritage Site , Mombasa Butterfly House , Santo Antonio de Tanna , Swahili Cultural Center , Sanaa Gallery , Old Port Mombasa , Leven House I Steps , Forodhani Restaurant , The Mandhry Mosque , Burhani Mosque , Tulia Backpackers , Bahdala Mosque , Mazrui Cemetery , Old Law Courts , Treasury Square , Africa Hotel , Kizingo BBQ, St. Joseph's Fort , Ras Serani Lighthouse , Kizingo War Camp , Mombasa Golf Club , Mama Ngina Waterfront Park , Shelly Beach , The Likoni Floating Bridge , Mbaraki Creek, Mombasa Yatch Club , Mbaraki Pillar , The Mombasa Mbaraki Cemetery , The Little Theatre Club , Kilindini Harbour , The Mombasa Memorial Church , The Holy Ghost Catholic Cathedral , Lord Shiva Temple , The Old Mombasa Railway Station , Railways Park , Mombasa African Memorial , Mombasa’s Tusks , Fort Makupa , Kibarani Recreation Park , Akamba Handicraft Shop , Manyimbo War Cemetery , Tudor Water Sports Marina , Nyali Bridge , ACK Emmanuel , The Kengeleni Monument , Bahari Beach Resort , Tamarind Dhow Cruise , Krapf Memorial Heritage Park , Kenyatta Public Beach , Bombolulu Workshop , Haller Park , Mombasa Butterfly Pavilion , Bamburi Rifle Range , Mombasa Go-Kart , Suli Suli Fishing , Nguuni Nature Sanctuary , Mamba Village , Nyali Golf & Country Club , Wild Waters , Nyali Shopping Mall , Mombasa Marine Park I Reserve , Ngomongo Village , Shimo la Tewa Site , The Moorings , La Marina Restaurant

Know More About Mombasa County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - with the aid of a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments

What’s The Lay Of The Land In C.01?

Mombasa County can be split into 3 zones: 1. Coastal plain, covering parts the Island; 2. The hilly areas rising gently from 45 ms to 132 ms asl in the west; and 3. The Indian Ocean and the shoreline.

What’s The Air Like In Mombasa?

May is generally the wettest month, then April and June. Average temperatures are always high, rarely falling below 24 o C across the year.

Know More About Mombasa County…

Bri