Massive mosque opens in Chechnya

One of the largest mosques in Europe is opening its doors today in Grozny, the capital of the Chechen republic. With minarets over 60 metres tall, the 'Heart of Chechnya' will be able to accommodate up to 10,000 people.

The idea for the ambitious project came from the late President of the Chechen Republic, Ahmad Kadyrov, whose son – the current President Ramzan Kadyrov – ordered the start of construction in 2006.

The mosque will form part of a major Islamic centre, which also includes a clerical government, an Islamic institute (a madrasah), a religious library, a hotel and a students’ dormitory.

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