Nouadhibou serves as Mauritania's economic capital and hosts several notable mosques that reflect the country's deep Islamic heritage, including the Grand Mosque with its distinctive Moorish architectural elements. The city's Islamic character is evident in its daily rhythm of prayers and the strong presence of Islamic scholarship, as Mauritania is renowned for its centuries-old tradition of Quranic education and Islamic jurisprudence. The predominantly Muslim population maintains vibrant cultural practices, from traditional Islamic festivals to the preservation of Arabic calligraphy and Islamic arts that reflect the region's rich Moorish-Islamic civilization.