Introduction Ahmadi Muslims are opening what they say is the largest Mosque in western Europe this weekend. The Baitul Futuh Mosque can cater for up to 13,000 people. But the community is not accepted by other Muslims as genuine.
Posted on 10/05/2003 4:27:52 PM PDT by yankeedame
Introduction Ahmadi Muslims are opening what they say is the largest Mosque in western Europe this weekend. The Baitul Futuh Mosque can cater for up to 13,000 people. But the community is not accepted by other Muslims as genuine.
Construction Two years in the making, the mosque is in Morden, south-west London.It is the focus for the Ahmadi community, which originated a century ago in northern India. Followers in modern-day Pakistan face persecution. They believe in a "Messiah" who interpreted the Koran to help find its true meaning in the 19th Century.
Interpretations The entire mosque site covers some 15,000 square metres with the main building made of a specially designed reconstituted marble designed to withstand the British weather. But it also needs to withstand criticism from other Muslim groups who say that the Ahmadi community should not even use the word mosque to describe their place of prayer.
Dome The centrepiece of the mosque is a 15.5 metre dome, capped in specially designed stainless steel.The inside of the dome is dotted with windows allowing light to stream inside, and verses from the Koran are hand painted on its curves.
Prayer hall The main prayer hall can hold some 6,000 people at each session.It has been designed so the community can broadcast live to its satellite television channel – and onwards to what it says are 200 million followers around the world.
Women's prayer hall One of the most striking features is that the women's prayer hall is as big as the men's – something not always found in mosques. "This mosque is the centre of our community," says Salim Malik."We want everyone to be able to come, including children to the crèche."
Minaret The mosque minaret is 36 metres tall and is one of the last features to be finished.The community has not asked for the right to make calls for prayer from the tower. Instead the traditional call will only be made within the mosque itself."
Volunteers Up to 100 people have worked on site at any one time.As the project has neared completion weekends have seen up to 500 volunteers arrive to help with the finishing touches. The final days have seen the volunteers completing the entrance hall and laying miles of carpets – entirely donated by a single community member in the United States.
Because they have not cared for the Son.
It is inevitable that the West will find itself in total war with Islam within the next 50 years. Better we deal with them sooner rather than later, as Frank Pentangle said to Michael Corleone: "Let's hit 'em now, while we got the muscle".
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