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Mosque being built in Copenhagen

Friday, 28 August 2009 10:06 Culture
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Muslims in the capital will finally have fitting place of worship with a mosque being constructed

Copenhagen’s first mosque will be a blue dome structure in the Nørrebro district after the City Council voted in favour of approving a district plan for its construction.

The council voted yesterday for a 2000sqm former machine factory on Vibevej Road to be transformed into the 32m tall place of worship for the city’s Muslims.

The building’s frontal facade will be 13m tall, while the blue dome stretching another 24m up. The mosque will also have two minarets at a height of 32m.

The minarets will be largely symbolic as they will not be used to call people to prayer, reports TV2 News.

The building will include a prayer room, amphitheatre, conference centre, library and housing quarters for visiting imams.

The project is being organised by the Ahlul Bait Association and is expected to cost about 50 million kroner, which will be funded through private donations.

‘Copenhagen has a cathedral, a Russian church, a synagogue and of course we should also have a new mosque. I hope it will be a place that’s full of life and inviting to show that Copenhagen is a diverse city,’ said Klaus Bondam, head of the city’s technical and environmental department.

Comments
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mhusary  - Good step in the right direction   |2009-08-28 21:28:04
I would like to congratulate all Danes and the government of Denmark for this good step in the right direction. It shows the right face of the diverse and free society of Denmark.
tom1980   |2009-08-29 00:27:02
This mosque will benefit everyone. Not only that, it will be easy to get to. Turn left at Camilla's Caresses Parlour, go straight for a hundred yards and it's in Vibevej Road, just opposite the sex shop.
blackpool fc  - not long to go   |2009-08-29 13:40:11
the start of the end.....
rashedone  - Very nice news from a Open city   |2009-08-29 13:42:03
The news is on so on time! Last Thursday I visited Copenhagen from Göteborg. I was in fasting as a part of Holy Month of Ramadan. I was looking a Mosque there to say my prayer and have my Ifter ( Breaking food for fasting). I was so surprised and shocked that no one could tell me the location of any Mosque in the City center of this vibrant city. I was very sad and I have decided in some days I will contribute my effort to overcome this shortage of the city. May Almighty accept and bless this project.
mhusary  - Agree   |2009-08-29 14:16:46
Tom1980, agree all will benefit. As many reports from the U.S indicates, any neighborhood with a new mosque built, became less violent and less dirty after people understood the true values of Islam And started adopting them.
traveladam  - Wrong mhusary...very wrong!   |2009-08-29 16:22:00
Absolutely NOT true, your statement about lowering violence, once they see the benefits of Islam! Total garbage!
I come from a VERY nice town in the USA, once they built a mosque, nothing but trouble! The Muslims caused so many problems, in such a beautiful place, once very peaceful and a sleepy New England town.
magic1964   |2009-08-29 18:09:41
I have no problem to have a mosque in KBH but it´s not going to change muslims integration. Are Muslims better integrated in Denmark where they have the right to vote in local election than in France where they don´t ?? NOT at all......

By the way can somebody explain me why no church are allowed to be built in Saudi Arabia the holly land for muslims?
safwh  - violence on Friday!   |2009-08-29 18:45:22
Mhusary and Rashedone - How can we be rest assured that, in future, there won't be any violent incidence/riots after the culmination of prayers on Friday, when Muslims gather in large numbers at one place and disagreement over any issue could quickly light a fire on the streets.
mhusary  - You can be rest assured, only if.....   |2009-08-29 21:29:23
Safwh,
My Dear,
Please note before the Friday prayers Muslims are supposed to hear the Friday sermon, normally prayer's action depend on the sermon and the atmosphere. I am pretty sure that the Islamic community in CPH will choose a very good, clever, moderate and integrated imam who can guide Muslims toward more integration and positive contribution to the Danish community. Having said this, I must say that I don't expect Muslims whether through the mosque or without the mosque to keep quite if the Danish newspapers or media decided to insult them again.
Giving Muslim their rights without insulting them or harassing them is the only guarantee that they will not get out of control. Just treat their case with the same caution you treat the Jewish case (Anti-Semitic) no better treatment is required.
mhusary  - Saudi Arabia Vs. Vaticans   |2009-08-29 21:30:11
Magic1964
I am sure the mosque will have a positive impact on Muslim's integration in the Danish community, just wait and you will see. But again the Muslim's integration is a reaction to respect given by Danes to them. More respect means more integration, less respect means less integration.

To answer your question why no churches are allowed to be built in Saudi Arabia. For the same reason why no mosques are allowed in the Vatican (The holy land of Christians), on the other hand all other Muslim and Arab countries have a large number of churches, synagogues. I hope I cleared your doubts.
mhusary  - magnanimity   |2009-08-29 21:31:37
Traveladam,
I am pretty sure about my statement and respect yours without calling it garbage. If there is a negative or bad example here and there, this doesn't abolish true statements of many officials such as New Jersey's Police dept. who acknowledged that crime rate, drugs, violence have been lowered since the mosque started attracting African American's into its magnanimous teachings.
safwh  - yes, but again   |2009-08-30 16:12:33
Mhusary

I understand what you mean. I wish that the selection of Imam passes through a rigorous selection criteria, also as you described. But, again, Denmark is land of freedom of speech and thought. Not all ideas and imagination suits every body, they need not to. If something displeases some body else, people should convey their objection in a right manner and not keep quiet. But, not keeping quiet, I hope, doesn't exactly means burning cars on street.

There is a touch of soft threat in your message. How should we comprehend this. Is it right that people take law in their own hands, whenever they want (for whatever the reason is)?

I also feel that your analogy with Jewish case is not required. If what you say is right, then it should hold its own water.
npandjmclay  - A little bit free   |2009-08-30 10:27:34
Like pregnancy freedom of expression is an all-or-nothing affair. Denmark has it, Saudi Arabia doesn't.
magic1964  - mhusary - Saudi Arabia Vs. Vaticans   |2009-08-30 10:32:48
Well...if no mosque can be build in Vatican , mosque can be build in Rome no ??? again why no church can´t be buil in the entire Saudi Arabia ???

By the way why a muslim can visit the vatican and christian are not allowed to visit Meqa??? is this tolerance with muslim standarts ???
AG  - @ Magic   |2009-08-30 16:19:25
Saudia Arabia is not Denmark. It's also not the best representative of the Muslim world. For example: it is the only country in the world where women are banned from driving on public roads. But just because Saudia Arabia has bizarre, archaic and in many cases backwards and inhumane laws does not mean that we should behave in the same manner.

Just because my neighbor is a jerk doesn't mean I get to spit on his kids.
mhusary  - as simple as this   |2009-08-30 16:25:04
Magic1964
Am sure we are not arguing here about space of religious land, which is bigger Saudi Arabia or Vatican. Bottom line Saudi Arabia has a unique religious status similar to Vatican's. For this reason there are no churches built there. Regarding why Muslims can visit Vatican while Christians are not allowed to visit Mecca, it is for a very simple reason; All Muslims believe in and love Jesus and mother Mary, while Christians don't believe in nor respect Prophet Muhammad. Anyone in the world who Unifi God and believe in all his prophets and messengers including prophet Muhammad is very welcomed to enter Mecca and the holy mosque, otherwise what is he or she going to do there!!
mhusary  - let's be honest.   |2009-08-30 16:25:55
Safwh
Agree with you anyone who is displeased with something, should convey their objection in a right manner and this fact is fundamental in the Islamic faith; sadly not all Muslims practice it as requested in Islam. It is not right at all that people take law In their own hands, this is another fundamental fact in the Islamic faith, in numerous occasions in the Holy Quran and in the Prophetic traditions, Muslims are requested and urged to face wrong actions of others with tolerance, forgiveness and proper reaction. I myself practiced this value when I decided to publish weekly articles in page 9 of the Copenhagen post ever since the cartoons have been printed. I consider weekly articles about the true virtues of Islam and the prophet Muhammad can close the gap between civilizations and represent a proper reaction to the offense against Prophet Muhammad by Danish media.

Regarding my analogy with Jewish, I disagree with you, it is required in order to put Danes face to face with reality and to make sure they are not operating a double standard policy when it comes to freedom of speech. The entire world including Denmark watched how brutal was the Israeli occupation Army against the besieged civilians (Children and women) of Gaza, yet we didn’t hear any voice from Denmark practicing freedom of speech about this case, nor did we see any cartoons representing Israeli soldier with a bomb on his helmet. Do you know why? Because Dane's freedom of speech crashes when facing the wall of Anti-Semitic propaganda. In my opinion this is double standards and this proves that Denmark's freedom of speech is limited. From this point of view we demand that this limitation to your freedom of speech to be extended to include Prophets of God in addition to Jewish people.
magic1964  - mhusary   |2009-08-30 18:52:46
So because all Muslims love Jesus they can visit the vatican while Christians, since they don't believe in Prophet Muhammad they are not welcome in Meca......

I must admit I never heard this funny explanation before.....so if a christian asylum seeker say he loves Mohamet is he welcome in the new mosque ???
npandjmclay  - Freedom of expression, continued   |2009-08-31 10:12:07
Like pregnancy, it's also not compulsory! In Denmark people don't HAVE to follow any particular religious, political or social line at the bidding of government, church or other 'authority'. So drop the argument that Danes 'should' object to Israeli or any other controversial behaviour. It's all about execising choice and allowing others to do the same.
wor  - Freedom of expression has limits   |2009-08-31 20:27:28
Actually...we are free to the point where we do not limit the freedom of others or incite hatred.

I refer you to Straffeloven § 266 b, relating to scornful degradation based on race, skin clour, ethnic origin, faith, or sexual orientation.
(https://www.retsinformation.dk/Forms/R0710.aspx?id=121398)

Also, there are many lands where freedoms are being limited. So, if Denmark point to freedoms being limited in/by "Muslim" lands but does not comment on freedoms being limited by other lands ( Israel, for example), the question that one SERIOUSLY interested in "freedom of expression" should ask is "why focus only on certain lands?".

The truth hurts, can set us free, but it is only for those who seek it.
wilmot brown   |2009-08-31 14:17:41
Thank God I'm not religious!!

- much better to leave the subjectivists to thrash that one out. My god's better than yours,,,no, my god is better than yours! blah blah blah... ad infinitum +/- several more wars or two!

Personally, I think Camilla's Caresses Parlour as suggested by Tom is my choice establishment of worship, so I suppose the mosque is being built in a holy area of CPH. Maybe those of all faiths can meet in the local bars and come to a common consensus over fleskesteg and halal washed down with beer and tea! - I know what I'm ordering from the menu!
wor  - For some psychological reason...   |2009-08-31 17:24:07
People always point to "differences" rather than "similarities".

For instance followers of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam believe essentially in the one SAME God irrespective of the name used.

Maybe followers of the above mentioned religions should "focus on important similarities" and then we could avoid the resulting wars.
JFD   |2009-08-31 15:45:43
Note to all the CPH Post regulars (Tom, Dame, Magic, Wor, Wilmot, etc...)

please
Please
PLEASE

NEVER GET HIM STARTED!

Give him an inch and he becomes and Islamic ruler. It just goes around & around & around while making us all sick and droping us right back where we started.
tom1980  - mhusary   |2009-08-31 16:34:54
once this mosque is built, I look forward to hearing you sing from the minarets.

I have a simple request though - may I provide an accompaniment with my accordion?
mhusary  - tom1980   |2009-08-31 17:04:55
Tom, I don't understand the need for your sarcasm. I commented on the news in a very professional and decent manner thinking that Danes have tolerance for freedom of speech. Apparently I was wrong on this thought.

But to be honest and fair there are also some very good and professional comments here, I guess it has to do with the level of education that one possesses.
mhusary  - right to the point   |2009-08-31 17:06:23
Wor,
Thanks for this excellent comment; you have touched the bottom of the world's biggest problem.
PC  - mhusary   |2009-09-01 09:55:12
when i started reading your posts it almost seemed you have an head on your shoulders. Until your true nature came out.

" I don't expect Muslims whether through the mosque or without the mosque to keep quite if the Danish newspapers or media decided to insult them again."

sarcasm is free speech and not insults, do you see fat people burning streets when someone uses sarcasm on them? Good to know you "dont expect them to keep quiet" nice wayy to incite riots but then again that is part of your culture right?

then we have

"Giving Muslim their rights without insulting them or harassing them is the only guarantee that they will not get out of control."

This one is the best for me you are actually making treaths to the country that is hosting you!

I dont blame you as a person I blame the culture and ideology behind your upbringing which is the worst in the world in my opinion.
wor  - The quickest way to a person's heart...   |2009-09-01 16:45:13
...is through their stomach.

I once worked with a very nice chap who had a good sense of humour, and he also happened to be a muslim.

Anyway, at the end of Ramadan (Eid), this nice chap would bring in some nice sweet tasting goodies for his (non-muslim) work collogues that him and his wife had made - Yummy, yummy.

Ever since then I kind of look forward to Eid, although maybe for the wrong reasons.

The serious point is that KIND GESTURES work wonders and gives people positive associations.

It also gives a nice spring board of which to ask questions about Islam etc with a day-to-day colleague who is after a real person.
mhusary  - damestjernelys   |2009-09-01 14:26:23
damestjernelys
I hope as well all what you hoped for. I am sure if you visit, listen and read more about Islam, you will find a big discrepancy between what Islam calls for and what is Islam being marketed for as in the media.
I heard someone saying a very strong and honest opinion which I think summarizes the situation, he said” Islam is a priceless Item, but marketed for by bad salespeople”.

The challenge that Muslims are up against nowadays is to first understand their religion in the best way intended by God, practice it in the right way that give a good example on how normal Muslim should be.

To be fair we have to say that there is a lot of Muslims, who practice the true Islam, but press releases and Media cameras always loose their ways to such people and rather focuses on the other type.
mhusary  - PC- you keep missing the point.   |2009-09-01 14:34:17
PC
Did it ever occur to you that maybe, just maybe you are missing the point here or maybe you are misunderstanding what I intend to say. Did it ever occur to you even for a moment of time, that maybe my comment carries good in it.

I think your main problem and the problem of people like you is they don’t want to accept internally that a good can come from a Muslim, can you try this prescription please “when someone talk to you, try to find positive things in what he is saying and try to take his words with good guess and most importantly try to understand with open heart what is being said. if for some reason you are unable to do this, then suspect that there is something misunderstood by you before you suspect other’s intentions”
 

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