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Moscow Unveils Biggest Mosque in Europe

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The Cathedral Mosque, the largest in Europe, was inaugurated in Moscow on September 23. The opening ceremony was attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin, foreign leaders, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and a number of foreign delegations.

© AP Photo / Pavel GolovkinInitially, the mosque was built in 1904, and undergone several reconstructions since that time.

Above: The silhouette of the Moscow Cathedral Mosque against the sky brightened by the rising sun.
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Initially, the mosque was built in 1904, and undergone several reconstructions since that time.

Above: The silhouette of the Moscow Cathedral Mosque against the sky brightened by the rising sun.
© Sputnik / Alexei Druzhinin / Go to the mediabankThe mosque remained open during the Soviet era. It was the only functional mosque in Moscow during that period.

Above: President Vladimir Putin (center) at the ceremonial opening of the Moscow Cathedral Mosque, Europe's largest mosque, after renovation. From right: President of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas and Ravil Gainutdin, Chairman of the Russian Mufti Council. From left: Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, businessman Suleiman Kerimov and President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
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The mosque remained open during the Soviet era. It was the only functional mosque in Moscow during that period.

Above: President Vladimir Putin (center) at the ceremonial opening of the Moscow Cathedral Mosque, Europe's largest mosque, after renovation. From right: President of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas and Ravil Gainutdin, Chairman of the Russian Mufti Council. From left: Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, businessman Suleiman Kerimov and President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
© AP Photo / Maxim ShemetovThe restoration began in 2005. However, in 2011 the old building was demolished, and the construction of a new mosque was initiated.

Above: A view of the Moscow Cathedral Mosque.
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The restoration began in 2005. However, in 2011 the old building was demolished, and the construction of a new mosque was initiated.

Above: A view of the Moscow Cathedral Mosque.
© Sputnik / Alexei Druzhinin / Go to the mediabankAfter the reconstruction, the mosque was expanded 20 times. Its total floor space is over 19,000 square meters (before the restoration 964 sq m). The new mosque can hold up to 10,000 worshippers.

Above: President Vladimir Putin (left) during his visit to the Moscow Cathedral Mosque after the ceremonial opening. Right to left: Ravil Gainutdin, Chairman of the Russian Mufti Council, and President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
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After the reconstruction, the mosque was expanded 20 times. Its total floor space is over 19,000 square meters (before the restoration 964 sq m). The new mosque can hold up to 10,000 worshippers.

Above: President Vladimir Putin (left) during his visit to the Moscow Cathedral Mosque after the ceremonial opening. Right to left: Ravil Gainutdin, Chairman of the Russian Mufti Council, and President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
© Sputnik / Vladimir Astapkovich / Go to the mediabankThe six-floor building has seven elevators and has facilities fully adapted for handicapped people.

Above: A view of the Moscow Cathedral Mosque.
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The six-floor building has seven elevators and has facilities fully adapted for handicapped people.

Above: A view of the Moscow Cathedral Mosque.
© REUTERS / Maxim ShemetovThe main dome of the new mosque has a height of 46 meters, and a diameter of 27 meters.

Above: A policeman stands near the Moscow Cathedral Mosque before the opening ceremony.
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The main dome of the new mosque has a height of 46 meters, and a diameter of 27 meters.

Above: A policeman stands near the Moscow Cathedral Mosque before the opening ceremony.
© Sputnik / Alexei Druzhinin / Go to the mediabankAccording to the Russia Council of Muftis, the new Cathedral Mosque is designed to be a Muslim complex, including a conference-hall, library, museum, exhibition gallery, and hotel rooms.

Above: President Vladimir Putin (center) speaks at the ceremonial opening of the Moscow Cathedral Mosque.
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According to the Russia Council of Muftis, the new Cathedral Mosque is designed to be a Muslim complex, including a conference-hall, library, museum, exhibition gallery, and hotel rooms.

Above: President Vladimir Putin (center) speaks at the ceremonial opening of the Moscow Cathedral Mosque.
© AP Photo / Pavel GolovkinThe construction of the new Moscow Cathedral Mosque cost nearly $170 million.

Above: A believer prays as he prepares to go through a security gate to attend the opening ceremony of the Moscow Cathedral Mosque.
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The construction of the new Moscow Cathedral Mosque cost nearly $170 million.

Above: A believer prays as he prepares to go through a security gate to attend the opening ceremony of the Moscow Cathedral Mosque.
© REUTERS / Maxim ZmeyevThe new mosque opened its doors on the eve of Eid al-Adha, which is celebrated worldwide this year on September 24.

Above: People listen to Russian President Vladimir Putin as he delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the Moscow Cathedral Mosque.
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The new mosque opened its doors on the eve of Eid al-Adha, which is celebrated worldwide this year on September 24.

Above: People listen to Russian President Vladimir Putin as he delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the Moscow Cathedral Mosque.
© Sputnik / Alexei Druzhinin / Go to the mediabank"I hope that the Cathedral Mosque will be an important cultural and spiritual center both for Moscow Muslims and the entire country of Russia […] and help people of all confessions unite for a noble cause," Vladimir Putin said during the opening ceremony.

Above: Russian President Vladimir Putin (center) during the opening ceremony of the Moscow Cathedral Mosque.
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"I hope that the Cathedral Mosque will be an important cultural and spiritual center both for Moscow Muslims and the entire country of Russia […] and help people of all confessions unite for a noble cause," Vladimir Putin said during the opening ceremony.

Above: Russian President Vladimir Putin (center) during the opening ceremony of the Moscow Cathedral Mosque.
© AFP 2023 / VASILY MAXIMOV The minarets of the Moscow Cathedral Mosque are 72 meters in height – it is the second-highest mosque in Russia after the Ufa Mosque in Bashkiria.

Above: A view of the Moscow Cathedral Mosque.
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The minarets of the Moscow Cathedral Mosque are 72 meters in height – it is the second-highest mosque in Russia after the Ufa Mosque in Bashkiria.

Above: A view of the Moscow Cathedral Mosque.
© Sputnik / Vladimir Astapkovich / Go to the mediabankThe first service in the new mosque will be held on September 24 to celebrate Eid al-Adha.

Above: Worshippers at the Moscow Cathedral Mosque.
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The first service in the new mosque will be held on September 24 to celebrate Eid al-Adha.

Above: Worshippers at the Moscow Cathedral Mosque.
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