The mosque was built in 1515 at the time when the city was captured by the
Songhai Empire. It was restored and some of it was rebuilt in 1844. This mosque was built by
Imam Bakhili, a famous
Muslim scholar, who originated from the
Algeria region. Legend has it that he built this mosque in a single night between
Isha prayer and dawn. Due to the mosque bearing some resemblance to the construction techniques used in structures around
Timbuktu, it is believed that the
Tuareg people went there in order to learn the
architectural techniques for the construction of the mosque. By using local available materials, which were dried in the sun, the builders created a long-lasting durable structure. The central
shrine in Agadez is accompanied by a minaret which is some 27 meters (89 feet) tall, making it the tallest ever constructed of mud brick. The mosque serves as a compass for the people to get around the city, and at one point of time throughout its history, served as a watchtower. The mosque is a beacon of the long-running history of the city that has survived the harsh
desert environment. ==See also==