After 50 years, first Muslim mosque opens in Slovenia

• The construction of the mosque costs 34 million euros while the Qatar government provided 28 million euros of the total amount.
• The opponents tried every possible way to halt the mosque’s construction.
• The mosque is situated in the semi-industrial area of Ljubljana and could hold at least 1,400 worshippers at one time.

(Karachi) The first mosque for Muslims opened in Slovenia after 50 years crossing surmounting financial hurdles and right-wing opposition, media has reported. The mosque is situated in Slovenia’s Ljubljana City.

Muslims first filed a request to build the mosque in the late 1960s while Slovenia was still part of the former communist Yugoslavia. The Muslim community received permission 15 years ago, but ran into opposition from right-wing politicians and groups as well as financial crisis.

In the early days of its construction, lack of funds hindered its building process. However, in 2013, the construction of the mosque was taken up. For its construction, Qatar provided the maximum number of funds. The construction of the mosque costs 34 million euros while the Qatar government provided 28 million euros of the total amount.

The opponents tried every possible way to halt the mosque’s construction. Pig heads and blood was also tossed on the site in two separate incidents that took place in 2016 as part of the tactics to halt the mosque’s construction.

The mosque is situated in the semi-industrial area of Ljubljana and could hold at least 1,400 worshippers at one time. The minarets of the mosque are 40 meters high and are coloured in blue. A large blue textile made dome dominates the mosque’s interior.

All the buildings in the mosque are made up of concrete, combined with glass and wood.

The mosque also houses a centre of the Muslim community which helps in highlighting the cultural values of Islam. The centre comprises of an education centre, library, basketball court etc.

Commenting on the historic occasion, Islamic Community Head in Slovenia Mufti Nedzad Grabus said that the mosque’s opening is a turning point in their lives. He added, “Slovenia is the last former Yoguslav state to get a mosque, making Ljubljana a capital rather than a town at the edge of the world.”

Until now, the Muslim community in Slovenia has been worshipping and holding ceremonies in rented sports halls or buildings.