Created a mosque for 11 thousand. Warsaw´s Muslims Michael Wojtczuk, Thomas Urzykowski 2010-02-25, last updated 2010-02-24 21:12
At the roundabout, Polish exiles to Siberia from the land of the mosque came out already. Arises mainly due to the money the Saudi sponsor. - We will be there to pray and to explain to the Poles, that Islam is a religion of moderation - announces the Muslim investor.
In the vicinity of the Blue City shopping mall to grow new walls. Here arises a three-storey building Islamic Cultural Center. Ready is part of the underground and ground floor walls poured. The building was designed by architects studio KAPS. To be ready by the autumn. Over the 12-meter tower block of the mosque will be 18-meter tower - a modern version of the minaret.
- But we will not give it to the surrounding voting muezzin calling to prayer. Be heard only in the prayer room - provides Samir Ismail, President of the Muslim League in Poland.
Saudi sponsor
Liga - as we read on their website - was founded in 2001 on the initiative of Polish Muslims. However, focuses mainly visitors from Arab countries. By religious and cultural activities in several Polish cities. Attend meetings of the cross-members of other religions. Has been particularly active in Wroclaw. Investment in Ochota implement jointly with the Association of Muslim Cultural Shaping.
The building will be the prayer hall, a library with a multimedia room, an art gallery.
- We have planned a cafe, restaurant and shop - says Ismail. The origin is Palestinian, came to the Polish medical studies in 1986, lives in Warsaw, is in a hospital street. Copernicus.
When asked about the cost of investing Samir Ismail avoid doing - Well, its free! - Smiles. It adds that the collection of money involved in the entire diplomatic corps Islamic countries, headed by its dean Albreikiem Nasser, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia. - It is sponsored by a private benefactor of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - reveals chairman of the League.
Islamic Warsaw
It is estimated that in Poland 35-40 thousand lives. Muslims (the official statistics say, by 15-25 thousand)..
- Is the most abundant concentration of Warsaw. 11-13 thousand lives here. our co-religionists. Poles, but also Arabs, Tartars, Turks and people from Asian countries. Also in temporary visitors: students, refugees, businessmen and diplomats - mentions.
As suggested, the center will be built not only a place of prayer, but also the presentation of Islam and its culture of Polish society. Declares that the Muslim League wants to provide an adequate picture of Islam as a moderate religion. - Bearing in mind at the same time, of course appointed by the Qur´an and Sunnah. Center will serve the various circles of the Muslim society, starting with the educational and cultural activities through charitable exhibition, organized activities for children and women in contact with the media. To build bridges of cooperation between the Arab-Muslim world and the Polish - explains.
The second mosque in the city
In Warsaw there is already one mosque. Is modest and has long been too tight. Located in Wilanow in a small converted house at ul. Drilling. Belongs to the Islamic Religious Community, who also leads the Islamic Cultural Center.
- With the new mosque, we have nothing in common. It builds a completely different organization - points out the local imam Nezar Charif.
Municipality of Wiertnicza is a member since 1925, the existing Muslim Religious Union in Poland. President of the relationship - Mufti Polish Tomasz Miskiewicz - the investment of the League of Muslim speaks cautiously: - Sami want to build a mosque in Warsaw and also in Ochota. Even before the war we had a plot here in this investment. He was a finished project.
Designed in the 30s by Stanislaw Kolendo and Tadeusz Miazka mosque with four 20-meter minarets had to stand behind the building of the Ministry of the Environment at the Wawel. Investment did not occur, because it lacked funds. Now, the Muslim Religious Union struggles to recover after the war zabránenie plot or replacement award. - The city of Warsaw and the Ministry of Internal Affairs refused to refund us our property, so they refer. We have 5 thousand. members, but the population of about 180 people, Muslim League soon got permission to build a mosque - complains Miskiewicz.
The modern design erected a building and its location near the shopping center, sees it as inappropriate. - Requires the seriousness of the sacred object - Polish Mufti stresses.
Meanwhile, Samir Ismail argues that the new center and the municipality will not be at Wiertnicza competition: - The offer is certainly complement
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