Times are a changing in Seville.
Posted on 06/17/2005 8:05:01 AM PDT by robowombat
Seville Awaits First Grand Mosque
The Seville mosque will accommodate up to 10,000 worshipers.
By Al-Amin Andalusi, IOL Correspondent
SEVILLE, June 14, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – Plans to build the first grand mosque in the Spanish southern city of Seville are proceeding at full swing, despite fierce opposition form few locals.
In May, the Muslim association of Seville reached an agreement with the authorities on building the mosque, expected to be one of Europe's biggest mosques.
Arab Gulf countries, including the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, will finance the two-year construction of the mosque, expected to total six million euros, according to Spanish media.
The daily of El-Pais recently said that Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, ruler of Sharjah, one of the seven emirates forming the UAE, is a main financer.
The mosque, to be built on a space of 6,000 square meters, is expected to accommodate up to the 10,000 worshipers.
It will include a library, conference and exhibition halls as well as places for cultural activities.
The mosque will be constructed on the Islamic and Andalusian architecture, similar to the Granada mosque.
Opposition
Ever since the mosque plans were made public, some locals have been rallying support against its construction.
They want the mosque land to be used in building more residential buildings or public services projects.
The mosque opponents have even launched a Web site claiming that Islam will dominate the world.
They also took to the streets on June 8, to demand the construction plans be dropped.
Worse still, they slaughtered a pig and left its head at the construction location, believing such a step would push the Muslims to drop the plans.
However, the majority of Seville population, including the local church, have reaffirmed support for the mosque construction.
Luis Badeni, a Spanish writer who embraced Islam 25 years ago, said the mosque would serve the people of Seville and not just Muslims.
Spain has a Muslim community of about 600,000 people out of a total population of 40 million.
The country has recognized Islam through the law of religious freedom, issued in July 1967.
I hope the Spanish secret police installed enough hidden microphones in this [potential] terrorist nest.
hOPE THEY ENJOY THE MUEZZIN ADN THE CALL TO PRAYER 6 TIMES A DAY
I have no problem with this, as long as Catholics are given permission to build a cathedral in Mecca.
>Spain has a Muslim community of about 600,000 people out of a total population of 40 million.
they're going to regret that!
Now the "Barber of Seville" will be cutting off more than just hair.
"Worse still, they slaughtered a pig and left its head at the construction location, believing such a step would push the Muslims to drop the plans."
lol.... thats great.
Then blow it up!
Clarity of expression is our friend.
Who is "they"?
Dream on.
Islam only expects religious toleration when they are in the minority.
I wish we had Rodrigo Diaz and Ferdinand and Isabella around now. Also Santiago Matamorros.
The reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula by the Moors.
logically, the muslims are not going to regret being there, so "they" refers back to spain. lol
I;ve seen that church. I've actually got family in Seville.
wow! whatta image.
thanks.
Yup. Everytime I read a story like this I'd like to mata some moros.
The Moors have returned.
Unless all the construction materials are imported from Cockroach Countries, I suspect a substantial amount of that mosque will have pig parts and other "material"...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.