Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque (Red Mosque)
A striking red-and-white striped mosque in the bustle of Pettah, its candy-cane bands and Indo-Saracenic domes making it one of Colombo's most photographed landmarks.
Construction of the Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque began in 1908 and was completed the following year, in 1909. It was commissioned by the local Indian Muslim community based in Pettah, who needed a proper space to fulfil their five daily prayers and Friday Jummah. The man behind its design and construction was Habibu Lebbe Saibu Lebbe, an unlettered architect who worked from details and images of Indo-Saracenic buildings supplied by the South Indian traders who commissioned him. The result is a hybrid style all its own, blending native Indo-Islamic and Indian architectural elements with touches of Gothic revival and Neo-classical design.
The mosque was originally built to hold up to 1,500 worshippers, although in its early years only around 500 people would turn up for prayers. What really sets it apart, though, is its look: a striking red-and-white candy-striped two-storey building topped with a clock tower, often compared to the Jamek Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, which was built just a year later, in 1910. Long before Colombo's skyline filled up with other landmarks, sailors sailing into the port are said to have used the mosque as their first point of reference, a kind of unofficial welcome marker for the city.
At a glance
- Entry fee: Free, donation welcomed
- Opening hours: Outside prayer times for visitors
- Time needed: 30 minutes
- Best time: Mid-morning, avoiding Friday prayers
Getting there
In the Pettah bazaar district near the Fort railway station.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to visit Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque (Red Mosque)?
- Free, donation welcomed.
- What are the opening hours at Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque (Red Mosque)?
- Outside prayer times for visitors.
- How long should I spend at Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque (Red Mosque)?
- Plan for 30 minutes.
- When is the best time to visit Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque (Red Mosque)?
- Mid-morning, avoiding Friday prayers.
- How do I get to Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque (Red Mosque)?
- In the Pettah bazaar district near the Fort railway station.