Located in Kombo Village, Traditional Authority Malengachanzi in Nkhotakota, Bondo Mosque holds the distinction of being the first masjid (mosque) in Malawi. Founded by Jumbe Salim bin Abdullah, a Swahili Arab from Zanzibar, the mosque has a rich history dating back to the 1840s.
According to Yusuf Suwedi Kawalika, a supervisor at Bondo Mosque, Jumbe Salim bin Abdullah was granted the Bondo area by Chewa Chief Malenga, where he settled and introduced Islam and Muslim culture to the region. Although Jumbe was involved in the slave trade, he built the first masjid in Malawi, which became a hub of various activities.
One of the most significant events at Bondo Mosque was the Friday prayers, known as Jumuah prayer, which attracted people from far and wide.
“Every Friday, people would travel from distant places like Chia and Bua to pray at the masjid and would leave the following day,” Kawalika noted.
In 1978, the mosque was damaged by floodwaters, and a new mosque was built nearby. Some items from the old mosque, such as doors and windows are still used in the new mosque.
Other notable features include the tombs of the first sheikhs, Sheikh Khalid and N.A Msusa, a tuck shop, and a water reservoir (tank) that was used for cleansing before entering the mosque.
The monument was recently conserved in July 2024 by the Department of Museum and Monuments, with funding from the Mellion Foundation and The Heritage Management Organization.
Kawalika expressed gratitude to the government for reconstructing the site, making it a tourist attraction.
“The place was previously neglected, but now, after reconstruction, it has regained its importance and historical significance, making it worthy of showcasing to tourists,” he added.
