The construction of the first mega-mosque in Athens is estimated to be completed within the next 3 months given the rapid paces of the building company. The architectural designs were assigned to Tompazis Architectural Office, which is the only office in Greece specializing in such architectural works and has enough experience due to its designs for countries in the Middle East.
According to Vima daily, the mosque project calls for the plain and discrete renovation of an existing state building – on a disused navy base – in the industrial district of Votanikos near the centre of Athens. The total acreage of the mosque will not exceed 1.000 square meters and will have enough space for 350 worshipers, while no minaret (tower) will be featured.
The project’s estimated cost lies at around €16 million. The Greek government has committed to have the mosque ready by spring 2012, while analysts say that the Papandreou government is pushing the mosque project out of fear that the Muslim rallies in Athens over the past months would become more violent if it did not meet the Muslims’ demand for an official religious place.
The construction plan is financially undertaken by the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs and will function under its attendance according to the respective 2006 bill.
Until now, Athens had been the only capital from among the original 15 member states of the EU that did not have a mosque. Muslims in Greece have been praying so far in makeshift mosques in basement apartments, coffee shops, garages and old warehouses.
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