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Largest Mosque in Europe Inaugurated in Chechen Republic

The Chechen Republic inaugurates Europe's largest mosque. (SPA)
The Chechen Republic inaugurates Europe's largest mosque. (SPA)
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Largest Mosque in Europe Inaugurated in Chechen Republic

The Chechen Republic inaugurates Europe's largest mosque. (SPA)
The Chechen Republic inaugurates Europe's largest mosque. (SPA)

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.

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No, Spain Isn't Banning Tourists. Here’s What to Know.

People march during a mass demonstration against over tourism, which affects the local population with inaccessible housing, among other things, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, April 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Miguel Velasco Almendral, file)
People march during a mass demonstration against over tourism, which affects the local population with inaccessible housing, among other things, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, April 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Miguel Velasco Almendral, file)
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No, Spain Isn't Banning Tourists. Here’s What to Know.

People march during a mass demonstration against over tourism, which affects the local population with inaccessible housing, among other things, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, April 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Miguel Velasco Almendral, file)
People march during a mass demonstration against over tourism, which affects the local population with inaccessible housing, among other things, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, April 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Miguel Velasco Almendral, file)

Spain attracted a record 94 million tourists last year, making the Southern European nation famous for its Mediterranean coastline, sweeping landscapes and historic cities among the most visited countries on earth.

The surge in visitors has stoked complaints at times from some Spaniards about “overtourism, ” with concerns about overcrowding, water use and particularly the availability and affordability of housing, The AP reported.

Spain's government has started listening to demands for more regulation, particularly around housing in Spain's big cities, where rising home and rental prices have become a key concern for voters. Earlier this month, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez introduced a 12-part plan to tackle the housing crisis, with measures aimed at bringing stricter regulations to short-term rentals that mainly cater to tourists.

But that doesn't mean Spain is putting the brakes on tourism, an industry that accounts for about 12% of its GDP.

Here's what you should know before planning a visit:

Is Spain restricting tourists? No, but some cities have started to regulate tourism rental properties.

Malaga, an Andalusian port city on the southern Mediterranean coast of Spain, will prohibit new rental properties in 43 neighborhoods of the city where those rentals exceed 8% of the residential stock. The policy went into effect earlier this month and will be tested for three years.

Meanwhile, Barcelona plans to close down all of its 10,000 apartments licensed as short-term rentals in the coming years to safeguard the housing supply for full-time residents. The Mediterranean city known for its beaches, art and surrealist architecture announced last year that it would not renew any new tourism apartment licenses after they expire in 2028.

Can tourists still book hotels and other accommodation? Yes. Tourists can book hotel stays and short-term apartment-style rentals just about anywhere in Spain.

What's prompting Spain to take these measures? Spain is in the throes of a growing housing affordability problem. Skyrocketing rents are particularly acute in cities like Barcelona and Madrid, where incomes have failed to keep up, especially for young people. Housing prices are also steadily rising, especially in cities and coastal areas.

Short-term contracts mainly offered for tourists are seen as driving up rental costs for locals, too.

What else should visitors know before booking travel? Visitors renting a car in Spain or booking hotel stays will also have to file more paperwork thanks to a new law that requires hotel owners and car rental companies to send personal information to the government for national security reasons.

Passport details, home addresses and payment information used by travelers above 14 are among the details that will be collected.