The Great Mosque of Metz has begun basic works for its construction site

The first step of the bulldozer was inaugurated as one of the main stages of Building the Great Mosque in MetzIt kicked off Saturday (December 18th) to great fanfare in front of more than 200 people, elected officials, representatives of the Islamic faith and consuls. The works extend over an area of ​​more than 5,000 square metres, along the Bd de la Défense, between the Plantières Queuleu and Borny districts, with the ambition to build the largest mosque in Lorraine, the first part of which is supposed to see on 2024.

Place of prayer and meeting

The site will accommodate up to 4000 insured, Like Shimama, 73, shed tears with the launch of the project: “There are so many feelings, it’s something we’ve been waiting for for years. People will come from all sides and learn the Islamic religion“The wait is long because Metz has prayer rooms at the moment and not real mosques per se.

“Mosques a little tampered with‘,” François Grossdeer, Mayor of Metz describes, That is why Metz Muslims need a dignified and safe place of worship like the practitioners of other religions. “In addition to a place of worship, the mosque will be equipped with a museum, auditorium, library and a complete cultural center, a place that promotes encounters and will not be restricted to Muslims only.

Get Financing

to achieve, The project needs a financing of 15 million euros. The faithful have already made pledges, but the head of the mosque, Muhammad Hisham Jawdat, wants to seize every opportunity: “Regional, national and international. But always respect two principles: transparency of funding and the rejection of any interference from a state that funds or gives us money..” in June, Charter of Fundamental Principles of Islam in France It was also signed. It provides a framework for the values ​​of Islam while respecting the values ​​of the Republic.

During his speech, the head of the mosque went back at length to the history of Muslims in France, especially in Lorraine. He strongly criticized the speeches made by some right-wing and far-right candidates for the 2022 presidential elections.There is a lot of confusion between Islam, Muslims and terrorism. A speech trying to solicit votes by showing that Islam is dangerous”, describes Muhammad Hisham Jawdat, and many believers hope that this new mosque will better combat negative assumptions about Islam.