| Page 3 of 3 < |
In a Europe Torn Over Mosques, A City Offers Accommodation
The unfinished Creteil mosque was backed by the city government, but opposed by others.
(By Molly Moore -- The Washington Post)
![[With Islam now Europe's second-largest religion, the number of mosques and other Muslim places of worship has grown to more than 7,500. In many cities, construction of new mosques has stirred controversy.]](http://media3.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/graphic/2007/12/09/GR2007120900022.gif)
Mosques in Europe
TOOLBOX
   Resize
COMMENT
 Discussion Policy
 CLOSE
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
Who's Blogging  |
The French Interior Ministry has identified 1,500 Muslim places of worship. But only about 400 are actual mosques, according to Muslim associations. Most are temporary prayer halls in gymnasiums, unused shops or apartment house basements.
Cathala's plan was hardly welcomed by everyone. "Jews pay for their synagogues, Catholics pay for their churches," said Lysiane Choukroun, 59, a council member from the National Republican Movement Party, whose members have opposed mosque construction in several French cities. "Why should Muslims be helped by Creteil taxpayers?"
In the middle of fundraising activities, the local bank being used by Creteil's Muslim association closed its account. Although the bank gave no reason, some French banks have expressed concern that many mosques are being funded by anonymous donations from abroad.
"It was discrimination," said Benaissa, sitting cross-legged on the floor of his chairless office. He said money for the Creteil mosque is being raised within France.
Then, this summer, French authorities charged Creteil's imam, Ilyes Hacene, with making inflammatory comments "linked to radical Islam" in speeches he delivered from 2000 to 2006, according to a spokesman for the regional Val de Marne police agency. Authorities are trying to strip Hacene of his citizenship and deport him.
Cathala said he believes the accusations are politically motivated. "I was astonished," he recalled. "It took them seven years to come forward with these charges?" The police say the charges were held up by citizenship proceedings.
Despite such challenges, the project remains on track. Walking through the unfinished mosque, which has a soaring dome and imposing window openings, Benaissa said local Muslims are trying to create a uniquely French mosque, rather than copying Ottoman or Middle Eastern designs.
"This mosque is more than just an acknowledgment of our religion," Benaissa said. "It's an acknowledgment of a city towards its citizens."
Researcher Corinne Gavard contributed to this report.
