Editorial photo #9864586 Human Interest

Architectural Colombo Red Mosque

A general view of the red mosque in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on April 5, 2023. The Colombo Red Mosque, also known as Jami Ul-Alfar Masjid, is literally an architectural wonder for the world that would stun you with its unusual color patterns and unconventional yet amazing design. Located in Colombo district, this oldest mosque towers over the buildings and streets in the neighborhood with its tall minarets and was once a reliable landmark for the sailors coming towards Colombo port. Colombo had always been a welcoming hub for international trade, where Arabs frequently visited and populated enormously. They had to perform their five mandatory daily rituals. For that reason, the Indian Muslim Community was commissioned to put up a mosque in Pettah. Work commenced in 1908, and the construction of the Colombo Red Mosque (Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque) was finished in just one year. Habibu Labbe Saibu Labbe was the chief designer of the building, and he relied on Indo-Saracenic and Neo-classical architectural styles. In 1975, the mosque's capacity was extended to as much as 10,000. The oldest mosque in Colombo is literally an interesting tourist destination. (Photo by Thilina Kaluthotage/NurPhoto)