After years of political turmoil, Algeria has unveiled a massive mosque along its Mediterranean coast. The project, once seen as a demonstration of the government’s power and devotion, has now been marred by setbacks and excessive expenses.
The construction of the Great Mosque of Algiers was done by a Chinese company during the 2010s. It has a minaret which stands at a height of 265 metres (869ft), making it the tallest in the world.
The prayer room of this mosque can hold 120,000 individuals and is the largest outside of Islam’s most sacred cities. It incorporates both contemporary and traditional elements, showcasing Arab and North African aesthetics to pay homage to Algerian customs and heritage. Additionally, there is a helicopter landing area and a library capable of storing 1 million books. This mosque is the third largest in the world and the largest in Africa.
According to Ali Mohamed Salabi, the general secretary of the world union of Muslim ulemas, the inauguration would steer Muslims towards a path of “goodness and moderation.”
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Promoting a more moderate form of Islam has been a main focus in Algeria since the government defeated a rebellion led by Islamists in the 1990s during a violent civil war that engulfed the nation.
The official opening of the mosque in Algeria was led by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in a mostly symbolic event. The mosque has been accessible to tourists and official guests for approximately five years. The original unveiling ceremony was postponed.
The schedule allows the mosque to open officially to the public in preparation for hosting nightly prayers during the upcoming Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which starts next month.
The construction of the mosque, which spanned seven years, faced numerous setbacks and disputes. One of the main concerns raised was the location, as experts cautioned that it was prone to seismic activity. The state refuted these claims in a recent statement released by Algérie Presse Service on Sunday. The project received backlash from Algerians who voiced their preference for the construction of four hospitals across the country.
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The official price of the project was $898 million (£708 million).
The construction of the mosque was initiated by former president Abdelaziz Bouteflika. It was meant to be his lasting legacy and was intended to be named the “Abdelaziz Bouteflika Mosque,” similar to how the Mosque Hassan II was named after a mosque in Casablanca, Morocco. The Moroccan king, who is Algeria’s neighbor and regional competitor, also had a mosque named after him which was previously recognized as the largest in Africa.
The demonstrations in Algeria in 2019 resulted in the resignation of Bouteflika, who had been in office for 20 years. This hindered his intentions of naming the mosque after himself and holding its inauguration in February 2019 as planned.
The building of the mosque, along with a large national road and one million housing units, was tainted by allegations of corruption during the reign of Bouteflika. It was suspected that kickbacks were given to contractors who then paid off government officials.
Source: theguardian.com
