Strasbourg Central Mosque

Strasbourg Central Mosque

Grande Mosquee de Strasbourg

Overview:

Strasbourg central mosque is the largest mosque in France, with a capacity of approximately 1500 prayers.

The mosque overlooks the River Ill and the construction of a mosque at this size considers the beginning of a new era of religious tolerance with Muslims in France.

Historic overview

It was designed by the Italian engineer Paolo Portogese, and it was opened in 2012. It was built for the need of the Islamic community for a large mosque that contains the numbers of them.

The idea off establishing the mosque went back to several years ago. From the beginning of nineties, the Muslims were using a modest hall to perform the prayer. The church was opening for them to perform Friday prayers. Then they initiated an association that aimed to build a mosque.

Strasbourg municipality provided the land as a grant to build the mosque, including two hectares and contributes about 10 percent of the total cost of the mosque.

Saudi Arabia and Morocco contributed to its financing in addition to collecting donations to finance its construction.

All religious representations agreed to the idea of constructing the project, and this was one of the biggest obstacles in the way of building the mosque.

An international competition was held to choose a design for it. Number of major European engineering offices participated in it, and Paolo Portogese won by his architectural design.   

Resources:

Artravelers

Aawsat newspaper

Alriyadh newspaper

1. No comments