Tunisia – Saheb Ettabaa Mosque becomes destination for Tunisians.

Location: Tunis – Tunisia

Language: Arabic

Voice: Natural

Duration: 00:05:43

Source: A24 in Tunisia

Restriction: A24 Subscribers

Dateline: 23-5-2022

Storyline:

A landmark Mosque in Tunisia has become a destination for people from across the country to perform prayers and enjoy its beautiful architecture.   

Saheb Ettabaa Mosque, also known as Halfaouine Mosque, is one of the most important mosques of Tunisian and the Islamic world.

The mosque was built between 1808 and 1814 AD, by Youssef Saheb Ettabaâ, who was a minister during the reign of Hammuda ibn Ali Pasha. 

Andalusian engineer Sassi Bin Freija led the mission of the mosque’s construction. 

The historical and religious monument, combining a mixture of Turkish, Tunisian and European architecture, is the last one built by the Ottomans in the North African Country.

Luxurious materials like marble and gypsum from Italy, Spain and Europe were used to build the mosque, which was added to a UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979.

Shot list:

Soundbite (Adel Touati – An independent researcher in the history of Tunisia):

” Youssef Saheb Ettabaa was a slave. Commander Bakr Al-Jellouli, who built the city of Sfax, bought him and gave him to Ali basha as a gift. He grew up with Ali’s son, Hamoudah. When Hamouda Pasha, who ruled from 1782 to 1814, became governor of Tunisia, he appointed Youssef as a minister. Youssef was very rich and wanted to build this mosque as a charity.”

Soundbite (Radwan bin Saad – Imam of the Saheb Ettabaa Mosque (one who leads Muslim worshippers in prayer):

“Saheb Ettabaa Mosque is an Islamic it is an Islamic Monument and the last mosque built in the Ottoman Empire in Tunisia.”

Soundbite (Adel Touati – An independent researcher in the history of Tunisia):

“Sassi bin Freijeh, who is of Andalusian origin, is the architect who led the construction of the mosque. He was one of the best architects in Tunisia at the beginning of the 19th century. He used a unique type of marble brought from Italy in building the mosque.”

Soundbite (Radwan bin Saad – Imam of the Saheb Ettabaa Mosque (one who leads Muslim worshippers in prayer):

“Youssef brought decorated marble from Italy, gypsum from Spain, and other components from Europe. The mosque was distinguished by European architecture mixed with Phoenician and Arab architecture.”

Soundbite (Radwan bin Saad – Imam of the Saheb Ettabaa Mosque (one who leads Muslim worshippers in prayer):

“This mosque is distinguished by its eight minarets and its minbar (pulpit) that is made of marble, not wood. The historical masterpiece attracts people to see the European architecture, mixed with Arab and Phoenician architecture, with Turkish touch. Every Friday, there is a choir repeating behind the imam Islamic, Arab, and Turkish songs.”

– Soundbite (Adel Touati – An independent researcher on the history of Tunisia):
“Saheb Ettabaa built two tombs here. The first was his, and he buried his African maid Badada, as well as some ministers.”