The Old Mosque of Shakshouk town, located in the Nafusa Mountain, west of Libya, has been severely damaged in a bombing believed to be linked to extremist ideologies. The mosque, a 400-year-old landmark recently restored by local youth, was attacked late on Sunday night amid false claims of a shrine within its walls.
The mosque’s administration denied the allegations, clarifying that no graves or shrines exist on the premises. The bombing destroyed essential infrastructure, including students' "Alwah" (Quranic tablets) , a water well, and the mosque’s electrical system. Cracks were also reported in the walls and windows.
The perpetrators targeted the storage room where students clean their tablets with mud for reuse.
This incident echoes a series of attacks on religious sites in Libya by extremist groups. Similar bombings and grave desecrations have been reported in Derna and Tajoura, as part of attempts to erase landmarks tied to religious and historical figures.
Local residents have called the bombing a "cowardly act," emphasizing the importance of the mosque as a cultural and spiritual hub for the community. Authorities are investigating the incident.