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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, Albania}}
{{Short description|Mosque under construction in Tirana City, Tirana County}}
{{Infobox religious building
{{Infobox religious building
|building_name = Great Mosque of Tirana <br/><small>{{lang|sq|Xhamia e Madhe e Tiranës}}</small>
|building_name = Namazgah Mosque<br/><small>{{lang|sq|Xhamia e Namazgjasë}}</small>
|image = Great Mosque of Tirana (2020).jpg
|image = Great Mosque of Tirana (2020).jpg
|caption = Great mosque during construction
|caption = The mosque in 2019 during construction
|location = [[Tirana]], [[Albania]]
|location = [[Tirana]], [[Albania]]
|geo =
|geo =
Line 28: Line 28:
|dome_height_inner = }}
|dome_height_inner = }}


The '''Great Mosque of Tirana''' ({{lang-sq|Xhamia e Madhe e Tiranës}}) or '''Namazgah Mosque''' ({{lang-sq|Xhamia e Namazgjasë}}; {{lang-en|Mosque of Prayer}}) is a mosque which is currently being built in [[Tirana]], [[Albania]]. When completed, it will be the largest mosque in [[the Balkans]].<ref name= Economist/>
'''Namazgah Mosque''' ({{Lang-sq|Xhamia e Namazgjasë}}) 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 ==
After the fall of communism in Albania, in 1991, Albanian Muslims often complained about being discriminated against. While two cathedrals (Catholic and Eastern Orthodox) 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 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" />
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>


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}}
The decision of building the mosque was taken in 2010, by then mayor of Tirana, [[Edi Rama]].<ref name="balkan">{{cite web|url=http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/new-mosque-proposal-surprises-albanian-muslims|title=New Mosque Plan Catches Albania Muslims Off Guard|date=22 November 2010 |access-date=January 4, 2015}}</ref>

[[File:Great-Mosque-of-Tirana-2018.jpg|thumb|left|As seen from the top of the Pyramid of Tirana]]
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}}

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


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== 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}}

Revision as of 21:43, 4 January 2023

Namazgah Mosque
Xhamia e Namazgjasë
The mosque in 2019 during construction
Religion
AffiliationIslam
Ecclesiastical or organizational statusMosque
Location
LocationTirana, Albania
Length56x28m

Namazgah Mosque (Template:Lang-sq) is a mosque which is currently being built in Tirana, Albania. When completed, it will be the largest mosque in the Balkans, Southeastern Europe.[1]

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

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.[2]

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.[3]

In late 2010, Berisha and the Socalist Party's chairman Edi Rama were campaigning for the upcoming 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.[4]

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 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.[5]

As seen from the top of the Pyramid of Tirana

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-era Ethem Bey mosque, currently Tirana's principal mosque, has a capacity of only 60 persons. Rain makes Friday sermons impossible.[6]

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.[7] 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.[8]

The financing for the mosque's construction comes from the main state-run Turkish Muslim organisation Diyanet.[9] In 2015, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan visited Albania for the inauguration ceremony.[10]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Turkey builds biggest mosque of Balkans in Albania". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2021-06-24.
  2. ^ "New Mosque Plan Catches Albania Muslims Off Guard". 22 November 2010. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  3. ^ Nielsen 2009, p. 23.
  4. ^ Nielsen 2012, p. 12.
  5. ^ Nielsen 2013, p. 35.
  6. ^ Nadia Pantel (January 2, 2015). "Balancieren in Tirana". jetzt.de – Süddeutsche Zeitung. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  7. ^ "Namazgja 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.
  8. ^ "Turkey's mosque project in Albania on schedule, says engineer". Hurriyet. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  9. ^ "Mosqued objectives:Turkey is sponsoring Islam abroad to extend its prestige and power". Economist. 21 January 2016. Retrieved 23 January 2016."
  10. ^ "President Recep Tayyip Erdogan honored the opening of a mosque in Albania | Tika Government".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

Bibliography

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Great Namazgâh Mosque of Tirana.

41°19′32″N 19°49′27″E / 41.32556°N 19.82417°E / 41.32556; 19.82417

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