Nouakchott, Mauritania's capital, stands as a major center of Islamic scholarship and culture in West Africa. The city houses the impressive Grand Mosque with its distinctive minaret, alongside numerous traditional mosques that serve the predominantly Muslim population following Maliki jurisprudence. As home to the Islamic University of Nouakchott and various Islamic institutions, the city maintains strong ties to Islamic learning traditions and serves as a bridge between Maghreb and sub-Saharan Islamic cultures.