At the foot of the volcanic hills of the Mamelles, in the Ouakam district, the Mosque of Divinity stands out with its light and luminous silhouette, overlooking the Atlantic with its two slender minarets and its immaculate white dome. Built following a spiritual vision received in the 1970s by Mohamed Gorgui Seyni Gueye (known as Sangabi), this monument is today a major place of worship, a symbol of religious unity, and also an unmissable site for anyone wishing to combine spirituality, art, and landscape during a visit to Dakar. The “Divinity” attracts worshippers, artists, curious visitors, and walkers, who come to pray, admire the architecture, or contemplate the wild horizon from one of the city’s most beautiful viewpoints. The mosque is distinguished by its mystical history, its simple style, and its unique position facing the vast ocean, offering an ideal setting to experience the serenity and singular beauty of Senegal’s capital.

Origin and history

The Mosque of Divinity takes its name and purpose from a mystical episode experienced by the founder of the Naby Allah movement, Mohamed Gorgui Seyni Gueye, who passed away in 2007 in Morocco. On the night of March 28–29, 1973, this close friend of the Moroccan kingdom claimed to receive a divine order to build a mosque precisely on this promontory, the vision materializing as a model “parachuted from the sky” that he followed to the Ouakam Bay.
From 1978, the Naby Allah community organized itself: fundraising, mobilizing families, and general volunteer work. Everyone participated in the construction of what was meant to “marry the sky, the sea, and the earth in prayer.”
The first stone was officially laid in January 1992; the project, carried out through community efforts and contributions, lasted more than five years, with the inauguration on October 1, 1997. Unlike the Grand Mosque of Dakar, this building responds to a strictly local and spiritual inspiration, reflecting the vitality of Senegal’s religious renewal in the 1990s.

A Unique architecture

A work as much collective as pious, the mosque presents a deliberately minimalist silhouette: a massive central dome, twin minarets, and a white terrace opening onto the sea.
The design, drawn by Sangabi based on his vision, was realized with the help of prominent Senegalese architects, including Cheikh Ngom, a pioneer of reinforced concrete and author of numerous monuments in Dakar. The only addition to the original plan was the dome, suggested by the architect to protect the prayer hall from the weather.
The interior, bathed in light and simplicity, contrasts with the monumentality of the façade: minimal decoration, a few stained-glass windows, traditional woodwork, and carpets offered by the faithful. The choice of materials (concrete, light tiles, local carpentry) grounds the site in modernity while harmonizing with its surroundings.

A Spectacular location

Built on a cliff above the Atlantic, the Mosque of Divinity “faces the open sea”: the sound of the waves, salty breeze, and changing light—from bright to golden depending on the hour—give each visit a unique atmosphere, perfect for meditation and contemplation. At sunset, golden light bathes the minarets and dome, offering photographers and visitors one of Dakar’s most stunning backdrops. The terrace welcomes conversations, breaks, and photo sessions—it is also an inclusive space where believers, passersby, families, and tourists cross paths respectfully.

Religious and cultural life

An active place of worship, the mosque structures life in Ouakam: daily prayers, major celebrations of Muslim religious holidays, community ceremonies…
For non-Muslim visitors, access to the prayer hall depends on the schedule and consent of the mosque authorities, but the forecourt and surrounding areas remain open to all, provided dress codes are respected.

Anecdotes of the Mosque of Divinity

• According to local tradition, it is considered auspicious to make a wish by touching the forecourt railing facing the sea, then silently entrusting it to the ocean breeze: “What the Atlantic carries, God receives.”
• The dome’s cupola, an engineering addition, weighs over 80 tons and was hoisted into place solely by human effort, thanks to a chain of volunteer helpers, in a day remembered by all of Ouakam.
• Every year, artists organize poetry contests or Quranic readings on the terrace, paying tribute to Sangabi’s “founding dream.”
• Sometimes at dusk, families picnic on the beach at the foot of the mosque, sharing food and blessings while watching the sun “bow before the Divinity.”

Things to do at the Mosque of Divinity

• Discover its history inspired by a mystical dream and extraordinary community mobilization.
• Admire the unique architecture: simplicity, symmetry, modernity, white dome and minarets against the ocean backdrop.
• Enjoy the view of the open sea, listen to the waves, breathe the salty air.
• Photograph the mosque at sunset, a favorite moment for Dakar residents.
• Combine your visit with the nearby African Renaissance Monument and Mamelles Lighthouse.

Practical information

• Location: Ouakam district, foot of the Mamelles, next to the corniche.
• Access: 15–20 minutes from downtown by taxi/car; parking nearby.
• Hours: exterior access all day; interior access subject to prayer times.
• Entry: free, respecting dress codes and prayer schedules recommended.
• Tips: prefer early morning or evening for the light; enjoy the serenity, be careful on the forecourt during high tides.
• Nearby: a short walk to Mamelles Lighthouse and the African Renaissance Monument.