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Coordinates: 41°19′32″N 19°49′27″E / 41.32556°N 19.82417°E / 41.32556; 19.82417
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{{Short description|Mosque under construction in Tirana City, Tirana County}}
{{Short description|Largest mosque in the Balkans, located in Tirana, Albania}}
{{Infobox religious building
{{Infobox religious building
| building_name = Namazgah Mosque<br/><small>{{lang|sq|Xhamia Namazgjasë}}</small>
| name = Namazgah mosque of Tirana
| native_name = Xhamia e Namazgjase
| native_name_lang = Albanian (shqip)
| image = Great Mosque of Tirana (2020).jpg
| image = Great Mosque of Tirana (2020).jpg
| caption = The mosque in 2019 during construction
| image_upright =
| location = [[Tirana]], [[Albania]]
| alt =
| geo =
| caption = The Namazgjah mosque during construction
| religious_affiliation = [[Islam]]
| religious_affiliation = Islam
| district =
| tradition =
| sect = Sunni islam
| district = Zona 1
| prefecture =
| province = Tirana county
| region = Tirana, Albania
| deity =
| rite =
| festival =
| organisational_status =
| ownership = Albanian Muslim Community<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-10 |title= Hapja e "Namazgjasë"/ Kryemyftiu Bilal Teqja për ABC News: Ja si do menaxhohet xhamia |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAoamqJVOoM |access-date=2024-10-11 |website= YouTube |language= Albanian}}</ref>
| governing_body =
| leadership =
| bhattaraka =
| patron =
| consecration_year =
| consecration_year =
| functional_status =
| status = [[List of mosques in Albania|Mosque]]
| religious_features_label =
| leadership =
| website =
| religious_features =
| location = Tirana city, Albania
| locale =
| municipality = Tirana
| cercle =
| state =
| country = Albania
| map_type = Albania
| map_size = 220px
| map_alt =
| map_relief = yes
| map_caption =
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| coordinates = {{Coord|41|19|32|N|19|49|27|E|type:landmark_region:AL|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes =
| heritage_designation =
| architect =
| architect =
| architecture_type =
| architecture_type = Sunni mosque
| architecture_style =
| architecture_style = Classical Ottoman Style
| founded_by =
| creator =
| funded_by = [[Presidency of Religious Affairs]], Turkey
| general_contractor =
| established =
| groundbreaking = 2015
| year_completed = {{Start date and age|2024|10|10}}
| construction_cost = 30 million [[euro]]s
| date_demolished =
| facade_direction =
| facade_direction =
| capacity = 8000 people inside, 2000 outside; 10,000 total
| year_completed =
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| length = 56x28m
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| dome_height_outer = 30 meters
| dome_height_inner =
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| minaret_quantity = 4
| minaret_height = 50 meters
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}}
}}
The '''Namazgah Mosque''' (''[[Albanian language|Albanian:]] Xhamia e Namazgjasë; English: Mosque of Prayer'') or '''the Great Mosque of Tirana''' (''[[Albanian language|Albanian:]] Xhamia e Madhe e Tiranës''), is the largest mosque in the Balkans, located in [[Tirana]], [[Albania]].

'''Namazgah Mosque''' ({{Lang-sq|Xhamia Namazgjasë}}), also known as '''Great Mosque of Tirana''', is a mosque which is currently being built in [[Tirana]], [[Albania]]. When completed, it will be the largest mosque in [[the Balkans]], [[Southeastern Europe]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Turkey builds biggest mosque of Balkans in Albania|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/life/turkey-builds-biggest-mosque-of-balkans-in-albania/1368253|access-date=2021-06-24|website=www.aa.com.tr}}</ref>

The mosque is one of the symbols of the Albanian capital Tirana. When completed, it would be expected to include a library, cultural center, parking area, Quran course venue, exhibition hall, cafeteria as well as a conference hall. At the same time, more than 5000 worshippers could pray simultaneously in the mosque.


== History ==
== History ==
In 1992, then president, [[Sali Berisha]], laid the first stone of a mosque to be constructed near Namazgja square, close to the parliament. Construction was delayed after the speaker of parliament, [[Pjetër Arbnori]] contested the plans.<ref name="balkan">{{cite web|title=New Mosque Plan Catches Albania Muslims Off Guard|date=22 November 2010|url=http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/new-mosque-proposal-surprises-albanian-muslims|access-date=January 4, 2015}}</ref>
Even after the fall of communism in Albania, in 1991, [[Islam in Albania|Muslim Albanians]] often complained about being discriminated against. While two cathedrals ([[Eastern Orthodoxy|Eastern Orthodox]] and [[Catholic Church|Catholic]]) were built, as of 2016 Muslims in Albania still had no central mosque and had to pray in the streets. In 1992, then president, [[Sali Berisha]], laid the first stone of the [[mosque]] to be constructed near Namazgah square, close to the Albanian parliament. Construction was delayed after the speaker of parliament, [[Pjetër Arbnori]], contested the plans.<ref name="balkan">{{cite web |date=22 November 2010 |title=New Mosque Plan Catches Albania Muslims Off Guard |url=http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/new-mosque-proposal-surprises-albanian-muslims |access-date=January 4, 2015}}</ref>


The decision of building the mosque was taken in 2010, by then mayor of Tirana, [[Edi Rama]]. The building of the mosque is considered necessary because there are only eight mosques in the city, down from 28 in 1967. During [[Islamic holidays]], the [[Skanderbeg Square]] is filled with Muslim worshipers, because the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]]-era [[Et'hem Bey Mosque]], currently Tirana's principal mosque, has a capacity of only 60 persons. Rain makes [[Friday prayer|Friday sermons]] impossible.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jetzt.sueddeutsche.de/texte/anzeigen/590804/Balancieren-in-Tirana|title=Balancieren in Tirana|author=Nadia Pantel|work=jetzt.de – [[Süddeutsche Zeitung]]|date=January 2, 2015|access-date=January 4, 2015}}</ref>
In September 2008, Albania's Grand Mufti Shaban Salihaj requested for the construction of a central mosque in Tirana. His request was widely publicized, and the Albanian Muslims felt being discriminated by the government. The [[Prime Minister of Albania]] [[Sali Berisha]] did not grant permission for the construction.{{sfn|Nielsen|2009|p=23}}
[[File:Great-Mosque-of-Tirana-2018.jpg|thumb|left|As seen from the top of the Pyramid of Tirana]]Construction of the new mosque was launched in 2015 with the financing of 30 million euros ($34 million) partly coming from the Presidency of Religious Affairs of Turkey, [[Presidency of Religious Affairs|Diyanet]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last= Tanrıkulu Kızıl |first= Nurbanu |date=2024-10-10 |title= President Erdoğan inaugurates largest mosque in Balkans |url= https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplomacy/president-erdogan-inaugurates-largest-mosque-in-balkans |access-date=2024-10-11 |website= Daily Sabah |language= en-US}}</ref><ref name="Economist">{{cite journal |title=Mosqued objectives:Turkey is sponsoring Islam abroad to extend its prestige and power |url=https://www.economist.com/news/europe/21688926-turkey-sponsoring-islam-abroad-extend-its-prestige-and-power-mosqued-objectives/ |journal=Economist |access-date=23 January 2016}}"</ref> In 2015, Turkish president [[Recep Tayyip Erdoğan]] visited [[Albania]] for the [[Cornerstone|inauguration]] ceremony of the mosque.<ref name="Economist" />


The mosque was officially opened on October 10, 2024, in a ceremony at which the Turkish president [[Recep Tayyip Erdoğan]] and Albanian prime minister [[Edi Rama]] delivered speeches.<ref name=":0" /> The mosque is expected to increase tourism and will replace the [[Et'hem Bey Mosque]] in the city center as the main mosque.
In late 2010, Berisha and the [[Socialist Party of Albania|Socalist Party]]'s chairman [[Edi Rama]] were campaigning for the upcoming [[2011 Albanian local elections|elections]], and both had a political quarrel regarding the construction of the mosque. The Berisha government donated lands to the Muslim community, on the condition that it would be used for the construction of the mosque. Rama offered the building for the mosque, though the Albanian Muslim community rejected it since they asserted that the land did not belong to the community and that, the property claims would be unresolved. After Rama lost in the elections, the fate of the mosque was taken by mayor [[Lulzim Basha]].{{sfn|Nielsen|2012|p=12}}


== Architecture ==
In 10 November 2011, the government established a commission for the construction. The Muslim community proposed that the mosque should be built at the Namazgah park, which belonged to them, and not at the centre, where the government proposed. On March 20, 2012, Basha announced that the mosque would be built at the park. In April 2012, [[Selim Muça|Selim Muca]] called for the government to finally place the first brick and lay the foundation of the mosque. On October 25, Basha reassured Muca that the dispute regarding the ownership of the land was resolved and working would soon start for the mosque. Despite this, at the end of 2012, the mosque was still not built.{{sfn|Nielsen|2013|p=35}}[[File:Great-Mosque-of-Tirana-2018.jpg|thumb|As seen from the top of the Pyramid of Tirana]]
The mosque's design was inspired by [[Classical Ottoman architecture]]. It has four [[Minaret|minarets]], each 50 meters high, while the central [[dome]] has a height of 30 meters. The first floor of the mosque includes a cultural center and other facilities.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 20, 2013 |title=Namazgah mosque, Berisha: The denied right was made just |url=http://news.albanianscreen.tv/pages/news_detail/61717/ENG |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104210235/http://news.albanianscreen.tv/pages/news_detail/61717/ENG |archive-date=January 4, 2015 |access-date=January 4, 2015 |work=Albanian Screen TV}}</ref> The mosque has been constructed on a 10,000-square-meter parcel of land near Albania's parliament building. It has a capacity for up to 8,000 people to pray inside the mosque and 2,000 on the outside; totaling at 10,000 people.<ref name="Hurriyet">{{cite web|title=Turkey's mosque project in Albania on schedule, says engineer| date=March 2016 |url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkeys-mosque-project-in-albania-on-schedule-says-engineer--.aspx?pageID=238&nID=95880&NewsCatID=354|publisher=Hurriyet|access-date=17 March 2016}}</ref><ref name=":0" />
The building of the mosque is considered necessary because there are only 8 mosques in the city, down from 28 in 1967. During Islamic holidays, the [[Skanderbeg Square]] is filled with Muslim worshipers, because the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]]-era [[Ethem Bey mosque]], currently Tirana's principal mosque, has a capacity of only 60 persons. Rain makes Friday sermons impossible.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jetzt.sueddeutsche.de/texte/anzeigen/590804/Balancieren-in-Tirana|title=Balancieren in Tirana|author=Nadia Pantel|work=jetzt.de – [[Süddeutsche Zeitung]]|date=January 2, 2015|access-date=January 4, 2015}}</ref>

The mosque will have four minarets, each 50 meters high, while the central dome will have a height of 30 meters. The first floor of the mosque will include a cultural center and other facilities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.albanianscreen.tv/pages/news_detail/61717/ENG|work=Albanian Screen TV|title=Namazgja mosque, Berisha: The denied right was made just|date=April 20, 2013|access-date=January 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104210235/http://news.albanianscreen.tv/pages/news_detail/61717/ENG|archive-date=January 4, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The mosque is being constructed on a 10,000-square-meter parcel of land near Albania's parliament building and will have the capacity for up to 4,500 people to pray at one time within the mosque.<ref name= Hurriyet >{{cite web|title=Turkey's mosque project in Albania on schedule, says engineer|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkeys-mosque-project-in-albania-on-schedule-says-engineer--.aspx?pageID=238&nID=95880&NewsCatID=354|publisher=Hurriyet|access-date=17 March 2016}}</ref>

The financing for the mosque's construction comes from the main state-run Turkish Muslim organisation [[Presidency of Religious Affairs|Diyanet]].<ref name= Economist>{{cite journal|title= Mosqued objectives:Turkey is sponsoring Islam abroad to extend its prestige and power|url=https://www.economist.com/news/europe/21688926-turkey-sponsoring-islam-abroad-extend-its-prestige-and-power-mosqued-objectives/|journal=Economist|date=21 January 2016|access-date=23 January 2016}}"</ref> In 2015, Turkish president [[Recep Tayyip Erdoğan]] visited Albania for the [[Cornerstone|inauguration]] ceremony.<ref>{{Cite web|title=President Recep Tayyip Erdogan honored the opening of a mosque in Albania {{!}} Tika Government|url=https://www.tika.gov.tr/en/news/president_recep_tayyip_erdogan_honored_the_opening_of_the_mosque_at_preze_castle_in_albania-19186|url-status=live}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Islam in Albania]]


== References ==
== References ==
Line 54: Line 109:


== External links ==
== External links ==
{{commons category|Great Namazgâh Mosque of Tirana}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20141218063526/http://tiranagrandmosque.com/ Official Website] (Albanian and English)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20141218063526/http://tiranagrandmosque.com/ Official Website] (Albanian and English)


== Bibliography ==
{{commons category|Great Namazgâh Mosque of Tirana}}
* {{Cite book|last=Nielsen|first=Jørgen Schøler|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WiijLleylbEC|title=Yearbook of Muslims in Europe, Volume 1|publisher=BRILL|year=2009|isbn=9789004175051}}
* {{Cite book|last=Nielsen|first=Jørgen Schøler|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MwzsW6k6pzAC|title=Yearbook of Muslims in Europe, Volume 4|publisher=BRILL|year=2012|isbn=9789004225213}}
* {{Cite book|last=Nielsen|first=Jørgen Schøler|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ia5AAQAAQBAJ|title=Yearbook of Muslims in Europe, Volume 5|publisher=BRILL|year=2013|isbn=9789004255869}}
{{Mosques in Albania}}
{{Mosques in Albania}}
{{Tirana}}
{{Tirana}}

{{Coord|41|19|32|N|19|49|27|E|type:landmark_region:AL|display=title}}


[[Category:Proposed mosques]]
[[Category:Proposed mosques]]

Latest revision as of 23:53, 2 December 2024

Namazgah mosque of Tirana
Xhamia e Namazgjase
The Namazgjah mosque during construction
Religion
AffiliationIslam
SectSunni islam
DistrictZona 1
ProvinceTirana county
RegionTirana, Albania
OwnershipAlbanian Muslim Community[1]
Location
LocationTirana city, Albania
MunicipalityTirana
CountryAlbania
Namazgah Mosque is located in Albania
Namazgah Mosque
Shown within Albania
Geographic coordinates41°19′32″N 19°49′27″E / 41.32556°N 19.82417°E / 41.32556; 19.82417
Architecture
TypeSunni mosque
StyleClassical Ottoman Style
Funded byPresidency of Religious Affairs, Turkey
Groundbreaking2015
CompletedOctober 10, 2024; 54 days ago (2024-10-10)
Construction cost30 million euros
Specifications
Capacity8000 people inside, 2000 outside; 10,000 total
Dome height (outer)30 meters
Minaret(s)4
Minaret height50 meters

The Namazgah Mosque (Albanian: Xhamia e Namazgjasë; English: Mosque of Prayer) or the Great Mosque of Tirana (Albanian: Xhamia e Madhe e Tiranës), is the largest mosque in the Balkans, located in Tirana, Albania.

History

[edit]

Even after the fall of communism in Albania, in 1991, Muslim Albanians often complained about being discriminated against. While two cathedrals (Eastern Orthodox and Catholic) were built, as of 2016 Muslims in Albania still had no central mosque and had to pray in the streets. In 1992, then president, Sali Berisha, laid the first stone of the mosque to be constructed near Namazgah square, close to the Albanian parliament. Construction was delayed after the speaker of parliament, Pjetër Arbnori, contested the plans.[2]

The decision of building the mosque was taken in 2010, by then mayor of Tirana, Edi Rama. The building of the mosque is considered necessary because there are only eight mosques in the city, down from 28 in 1967. During Islamic holidays, the Skanderbeg Square is filled with Muslim worshipers, because the Ottoman-era Et'hem Bey Mosque, currently Tirana's principal mosque, has a capacity of only 60 persons. Rain makes Friday sermons impossible.[3]

As seen from the top of the Pyramid of Tirana

Construction of the new mosque was launched in 2015 with the financing of 30 million euros ($34 million) partly coming from the Presidency of Religious Affairs of Turkey, Diyanet.[4][5] In 2015, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan visited Albania for the inauguration ceremony of the mosque.[5]

The mosque was officially opened on October 10, 2024, in a ceremony at which the Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Albanian prime minister Edi Rama delivered speeches.[4] The mosque is expected to increase tourism and will replace the Et'hem Bey Mosque in the city center as the main mosque.

Architecture

[edit]

The mosque's design was inspired by Classical Ottoman architecture. It has four minarets, each 50 meters high, while the central dome has a height of 30 meters. The first floor of the mosque includes a cultural center and other facilities.[6] The mosque has been constructed on a 10,000-square-meter parcel of land near Albania's parliament building. It has a capacity for up to 8,000 people to pray inside the mosque and 2,000 on the outside; totaling at 10,000 people.[7][4]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Hapja e "Namazgjasë"/ Kryemyftiu Bilal Teqja për ABC News: Ja si do menaxhohet xhamia". YouTube (in Albanian). 2024-10-10. Retrieved 2024-10-11.
  2. ^ "New Mosque Plan Catches Albania Muslims Off Guard". 22 November 2010. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  3. ^ Nadia Pantel (January 2, 2015). "Balancieren in Tirana". jetzt.de – Süddeutsche Zeitung. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  4. ^ a b c Tanrıkulu Kızıl, Nurbanu (2024-10-10). "President Erdoğan inaugurates largest mosque in Balkans". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 2024-10-11.
  5. ^ a b "Mosqued objectives:Turkey is sponsoring Islam abroad to extend its prestige and power". Economist. Retrieved 23 January 2016."
  6. ^ "Namazgah mosque, Berisha: The denied right was made just". Albanian Screen TV. April 20, 2013. Archived from the original on January 4, 2015. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  7. ^ "Turkey's mosque project in Albania on schedule, says engineer". Hurriyet. March 2016. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
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