A violent windstorm that hit Bambalang, in Ngoketunjia Division, North West Region, ripped off the roof from the historical Bambalang Central Mosque on April 5, 2025.
The disaster has left hundreds of faithful within Bambalang and its surrounding communities, without a proper place of worship as the rainy season closes in.
Built in the 1950s, the mosque has for decades served not only the Muslim population of Bambalang but also visitors and surrounding communities.
The damage has plunged the faithful into uncertainty, especially as the rainy season intensifies.
“On the 5th of April, we had a severe rainfall that took off the roof of the mosque,” said Aliyou Mubarak Mushakie, Imam of the Bambalang Central Mosque.
“It’s hard for us to go on with our routine prayers given that it is the rainy season,” he added.
The incident has an immediate impact on the community’s spiritual life. The disaster has severely disrupted regular prayers, which are central to the Muslim faith.
“This has greatly affected our routine prayers though we remain strong in faith,” said the Imam.
Despite the damage, the community is holding onto hope and calling on well-wishers, local authorities, and faith-based organizations to support the rebuilding efforts.
“We are appealing to the broader community to help us to build back this mosque as we are now stranded,”said one worshipper.
For many in Bambalang, the mosque is not just a place of worship but a cornerstone of their identity and faith.
As the faithful anticipation more rains in the weeks ahead, the urgent need to restore the mosque has become a priority.
The incident comes barely two weeks since Muslims celebrated the feast of Eid al-Fitr, one of the most important holidays in Islam.
