Urban Shihemi, January 20, 2026

His Excellency Dr. Tawfig bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, the Minister of Hajj and Umrah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Tuesday made a high-profile visit to Jamia Mosque Nairobi underscoring the mosque’s growing role in religious, social, and humanitarian engagement for Muslims in Kenya and the wider region.

The Minister was received by Jamia Mosque Committee (JMC) management led by the Deputy Chairman Abdullatif Essajee, Secretary General AbdulBari Hamid and Imam Sheikh Jamaludin Osman among others who led him on an extensive tour of the mosque.

The visit provided an opportunity for the leadership of Jamia Mosque to showcase the breadth of its activities and services offered to Muslims across the country.

They also highlighted the institution’s longstanding commitment to Islamic education, noting its role in organizing lectures, Qur’an programs, youth mentorship initiatives, and public dawah activities aimed at nurturing faith and moral values.

Beyond religious services, the mosque management emphasized Jamia Mosque’s social and humanitarian outreach including charity drives, food distribution to the needy, medical camps, and support for orphans and widows.

Interfaith outreach efforts, exemplified by annual Open Days that invite non-Muslims to learn about Islam, fostering understanding and harmony in Kenya's multicultural society.

The officials noted that the mosque has become a key center for community mobilization and unity among Muslims from diverse backgrounds.

Jamia Mosque Nairobi has for decades served as more than just a place of worship; it is a national institution dedicated to the spiritual, educational, and social welfare of Muslims across Kenya,” said JMC Deputy Chairman Abdullatif Essajee while speaking during the visit by His Excellency Dr. Tawfig bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, the Minister of Hajj and Umrah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

“We are deeply honored to host you and to share with you the wide range of activities undertaken by Jamia Mosque, including religious services, Islamic education, community development, youth programs, and humanitarian support for the less fortunate,” he added.

Essajee further highlighted the strong historical ties between Jamia Mosque Nairobi and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, noting that, “Our relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is longstanding and rooted in mutual respect, cooperation, and a shared commitment to serving the Muslim ummah. Over the years, this partnership has played a vital role in supporting Kenyan Muslims, particularly in matters relating to Hajj and Umrah, Islamic learning, and community empowerment.”

Minister Al-Rabiah expressed appreciation for the work being undertaken by Jamia Mosque, commending its leadership for combining spiritual guidance with social responsibility. He acknowledged the importance of strong grassroots institutions in strengthening the welfare of Muslim communities and fostering cooperation between faith institutions and international partners.

“I am deeply impressed by the remarkable work being undertaken by Jamia Mosque Nairobi in serving Muslims in Kenya and beyond,” said His Excellency Dr. Tawfig bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, the Minister of Hajj and Umrah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, during his visit to the mosque. 

The visit also created an opportunity for discussions on matters relating to Qur’an distribution, during which His Excellency Dr. Tawfig bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, together with His Excellency Khalid bin Abdullah Al-Salman, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Kenya, affirmed that copies of the Mushaf will be made available ahead of the holy month of Ramadan.

Minister Al-Rabiah’s tour of Jamia Mosque comes months after another notable international visit to the mosque. In August 2024, Jamia Mosque Nairobi hosted Muslim World League Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa, whose visit similarly highlighted the mosque’s strategic position as a center for Islamic scholarship, interfaith engagement, and community service in East Africa.

During that visit, Dr. Al-Issa delivered a Friday sermon at Jamia Mosque focused on the values of Islam and pathways to community security and peaceful coexistence. The MWL's engagement highlighted global Islamic solidarity and efforts to counter extremism through positive messaging.

Mosque officials noted that the successive visits by senior global Islamic leaders reflect Jamia Mosque Nairobi’s increasing recognition on the international stage.

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