Casa de los Árabes (The Arab House), Havana
The Arab House (Casa de los Árabes), located in Old Havana, serves as a unique cultural and religious landmark within the city's vibrant historical fabric. Despite the absence of a mosque in Havana and the Cuban state's restrictions on constructing new religious buildings, the Muslim community in Cuba finds a semblance of communal worship at the Arab House, especially for the weekly Friday Prayers.
The origins of the Arab House trace back to a wealthy Arab immigrant who settled in Cuba during the 1940s. The architecture of the house draws heavily from Andalusian design principles, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the Arab world. Over time, this house has been transformed into a multifaceted space that includes an Arabic museum and a restaurant, providing visitors with a glimpse into Arab culture and history.
Significantly, the Arab House holds a special place in the hearts of Muslim diplomats stationed in Cuba, as it is the designated venue for their Friday Prayers. This illustrates Cuba's selective support for international Muslim religious practices, contrasting with restrictions on local Muslims. Despite the generous contribution from the Arab part for the house's remodeling, access to these prayer services is exclusively reserved for non-Cuban Muslims, such as tourists and diplomats.
Moreover, the promise by former President Fidel Castro to build a mosque in Cuba, as reported by members of the Humanitarian Aid Foundation (İHH), adds another layer to the narrative of religious tolerance and its challenges within the country. While the promise remains unfulfilled, the Arab House stands as a poignant symbol of the Cuban Muslim community's resilience and the intricate web of cultural and religious interactions in Havana.
The origins of the Arab House trace back to a wealthy Arab immigrant who settled in Cuba during the 1940s. The architecture of the house draws heavily from Andalusian design principles, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the Arab world. Over time, this house has been transformed into a multifaceted space that includes an Arabic museum and a restaurant, providing visitors with a glimpse into Arab culture and history.
Significantly, the Arab House holds a special place in the hearts of Muslim diplomats stationed in Cuba, as it is the designated venue for their Friday Prayers. This illustrates Cuba's selective support for international Muslim religious practices, contrasting with restrictions on local Muslims. Despite the generous contribution from the Arab part for the house's remodeling, access to these prayer services is exclusively reserved for non-Cuban Muslims, such as tourists and diplomats.
Moreover, the promise by former President Fidel Castro to build a mosque in Cuba, as reported by members of the Humanitarian Aid Foundation (İHH), adds another layer to the narrative of religious tolerance and its challenges within the country. While the promise remains unfulfilled, the Arab House stands as a poignant symbol of the Cuban Muslim community's resilience and the intricate web of cultural and religious interactions in Havana.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Havana. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Casa de los Árabes (The Arab House) on Map
Sight Name: Casa de los Árabes (The Arab House)
Sight Location: Havana, Cuba (See walking tours in Havana)
Sight Type: Religious
Sight Location: Havana, Cuba (See walking tours in Havana)
Sight Type: Religious
Walking Tours in Havana, Cuba
Create Your Own Walk in Havana
Creating your own self-guided walk in Havana is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Old Town Walking Tour
The Spanish founded Havana in 1519. After French pirate Jacques de Sores ransacked the city in 1555, the Castle of the Royal Force was built to protect the city.
Havana became a major stopping point between the newly discovered Americas and ancient Europe. In the 1600s, Havana was a major shipbuilding port.
Old Havana is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The historic city has five... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Havana became a major stopping point between the newly discovered Americas and ancient Europe. In the 1600s, Havana was a major shipbuilding port.
Old Havana is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The historic city has five... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Old Palaces Walking Tour
Havana has been the seat of Cuba’s ruling gentry for centuries. Today, you can walk the streets of Old Havana and explore its palaces to get a glimpse into the city’s royal past. Although these structures now serve Havana’s citizens and visitors, they still catch your eye (and your camera lens!) with their architecture and history.
Start your trip with the ornate Presidential Palace,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Start your trip with the ornate Presidential Palace,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Historical Churches and Cathedrals Walking Tour
Discovered and conquered by Spanish colonists in the early 16th century, Havana has turned into a major religious center of Catholicism in the Caribbean. Although a communist regime is currently in power, many of the churches, cathedrals, and other religious buildings have been preserved and still give a glimpse of the city’s religious heritage.
The old Havana Cathedral, located in a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
The old Havana Cathedral, located in a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Hemingway's Havana Walking Tour
Ever since Hemingway first visited Cuba in 1928 until his death in 1961, he felt an intense connection with the people and culture of Cuba. Hemingway lived at Hotel Ambos Mundos during the 1930s, and began, wrote, and finished several novels there. Today, you can see some of Hemingway's belongings in Room 511.
Hemingway was a frequent patron at El Floridita, famous for its daiquiris.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Hemingway was a frequent patron at El Floridita, famous for its daiquiris.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
18 Uniquely Cuban Things to Buy in Havana
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Cuban Sweets and Pastries
On the tropical island where sugar cane is one of the main commodities along with the rum made of the very same sugar, and where the enormous abundance of tropical fruits make up a great deal of the local diet, it is only natural to expect the richness of dessert cuisine. Pair it with the strong...