Algerian President Abdelmajid Tebboune inaugurated Africa’s largest mosque ‘Djamaa El-Djazair’ with great fanfare. Although this mosque was opened only 5 years ago, its remaining work has now been completed.
It is the third largest mosque in the world after Mecca Masjid and Masjid-e-Nabawi of Saudi Arabia. The minaret built in this mosque is the tallest minaret in the world, which is about 4 times taller than the Qutub Minar. This mosque was the dream project of former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. But after being in power for 20 years, he had to resign due to the protests in Algeria in 2019 and he was not able to inaugurate this mosque.
Why is the mosque special?
This mosque has been built by a Chinese company. It has been designed by combining new architecture and Algerian tradition. Its work started in 2010 and after 14 years this huge mosque was completed. About 1,20,000 worshipers can come inside it at a time, there are about one million books in its library, and there is also a helicopter landing pad.
Meanwhile, Ali Mohammad Salabi, Journal Secretary of the World Union of Muslim Ulemas, said, “The inauguration will take Muslims towards goodness and moderation.” Algeria has promoted a moderate form of Islam since its bloody civil war in the 1990s. This mosque has also been built with modern design. It cost about $898 to build this huge mosque.
Mosque construction surrounded by controversies
Apart from its huge form, this mosque has also been in the news for the delay in its work. Apart from this, questions have also been raised on the selection of the place to build this mosque. Some experts had warned that the site of the mosque was not safe for seismic hazards. However, the government has denied all these claims. Construction delays and cost overruns have repeatedly fueled the anger of the Algerian people. Some people said that they would like to build 4 hospitals in the country at this price.
