The purpose of this blog is to stay connected with my friends and family while I transition from Delaware to Maryland to Uganda and beyond. I'd like to use this forum to share my experiences and record my adventures while serving as an Economic Development Volunteer in the Peace Corps.

Friday, November 30, 2012

Gaddafi's Mosque and the Baha'i Temple

When I went to Kampala for my mid-service medical check up last week, we decided to check out the local religious scene for some inspiration to get us through the next 11 months. We started our spiritual journey where else but at Gaddafi's mosque. It was beautiful, with the timber transported from DRC, chandeliers from Morocco, carpet from Libya, and glass from Ethiopia. We walked the 5 million stairs up to the top of the minaret for a great view of Kampala. Gaddafi's is the second largest mosque in Africa, following one built in Casablanca.

Beautiful carved ceilings
The minaret we later climbed
Carpet imported from Libya




Griffin and me


Kampala



On the way down
Looking up
Under the arch

We didn't end our spiritual journey there. Next, we went across town to check out the only Baha'i temple in Africa; one of only seven in the world. The Baha'is recognize the nine world religions, symbolized in their nine-faced temple. The temple was simple, and you couldn't take photos inside, but the grounds were gorgeous with beautiful trees and flowers and manicured lawns... something hard to come by in Uganda, and especially in Kampala. It would be a great place to bring a picnic lunch and a book.



Local skeptics... guess they knew we weren't Baha'i


2 comments:

  1. And what about the plans to star in a ugandan music video?!? ;)

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  2. Well, that got postponed until further notice. Guess I'll have to wait a little longer for my big break!

    ReplyDelete