There is a mosque in Parakou reflecting a major following of Islam which in
fact around half the population follow. The mosque is noted for its
fortress-like structure and turrets with dark red window panels. A significant
number of the population are Roman Catholic, about a third of the inhabitants,
and the city lies within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Parakou. It was
established on May 13, 1948 as the Apostolic Prefecture of Parakou from the
Apostolic Prefecture of Niamey, Niger and from February 10, 1964 promoted as
Diocese of Parakou. On October 16, 1997 it formally became the Metropolitan
Archdiocese of
