The largest mosque in Europe was inaugurated in the Chechen Republic on Friday during an event that was attended by numerous representatives of heads of Muslim countries and senior scholars.
Chechen President Ramzan Akhmadovich Kadyrov hailed Saudi Arabia for taking part in the ceremony, saying it reflects the keenness of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, on participating in all international religious events.
This stems from the Kingdom’s noble role of serving Islam and Muslims, he added.
He also congratulated Saudi Arabia on its successful organization of the Hajj pilgrimage this year.
The ceremony was attended by Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Dr. Abdul Latif Al Al-Sheikh, Secretary General of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation, Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen and Muslim World League chief Mahammad al-Issa.
Al-Sheikh said the new mosque will become a landmark in Europe and beacon for spreading the correct moderate teachings of Islam.
Othaimeen hoped that all mosques would always be beacons of moderation and platforms to combat extremism and terrorism.
At Kadyrov’s request, Issa delivered the first ever Friday sermon at the mosque.
Dubbed “the pride of Muslims,” the mosque was built in the Islamic architectural style. It is composed of two floors and can accommodate 20,000 worshippers inside the building and 100,000 in its external yard.
