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History of Kobe Muslim Mosque

Kobe Masjid (神戸モスク, Kōbe Mosuku), also known as Kobe Muslim Masjid (神戸ムスリムモスク) was founded in October 1935 in Kobe with the donations from religious believers. Kobe Mosque has a rich history and is the oldest mosque in Japan. Its construction was funded by donations collected by the Islamic Committee of Kobe from 1928 until its opening in 1935. The dedication ceremony was held on 2 August of the same year, and the first Friday prayer was held at this mosque. Afterwards, on 11 October 1935, a celebration was held at the former Tor Hotel with approximately 600 guests.

The mosque features a distinct minaret and dome, characteristic of Islamic architectural styles. It was designed by Czech architect Jan Josef Švagr, who incorporated both Islamic and Japanese elements in the mosque's design. During World War II, the Kobe Mosque suffered damage due to bombings. However, it survived the war and continued to serve as a place of worship for the Muslim community.

Today, the Kobe Mosque stands as a symbol of Japan's multiculturalism and the peaceful coexistence of various religious and cultural backgrounds in the country.

The Mayor’s Message

His Honour, Mr. G. Katsuda, extends Congratulations

As Mayor of Kobe, I have much pleasure in extending to the Kobe Muslim Mosque Committee my hearty congratulations on the occasion of the opening of the Mosque. It is the first Muslim Mosque built in Japan, and Kobe may well be proud of it. The appearance of the New Mosque is quite befitting such a Cosmopolitan city as Kobe, and it adds a new attraction to the already numerous places of interest in the city.The new Mosque affords a place of worship for Muslim peaple not only in Kobe, but for those living in other places of Japan, .I share the joy and satisfaction of the Muslims on this auspicious day and hope it will prove to be an instrument to promote friendship among the races.I feel that I am expressing, in this message of congratulation, not only my own personal feelings but the feelings of the peaple of Kobe. As the years have gone by Japan and Muslim countries including Egypt, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, and also India, have felt closer and closer, and it is my earnest wish that this new place of worship will prove to be another strong link in the chain of Muslim-Japanese friendship.