Germany: A mosque among Catholics

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The construction of the mosque proceeded very harmoniously in the predominantly Catholic Vechta, in contrast to other cities such as Leipzig

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch |
Source/Credit: NDR.de
By NDR.de | June 9, 2015

The mosque is tucked away in an industrial area. But otherwise, the members of the Ahmadiyya community in Vechta are satisfied with their new house of worship. The new home of the Muslims is a handsome brick building with two nine-foot ornamental minarets and a five-meter-high dome on the roof. On Tuesday afternoon, the mosque has been opened by the the spiritual leader of the community, Khalifa, Mirza Masroor Ahmad. The ceremony was attended by the Ahmadiyya Muslims from all over Germany and numerous representatives of the town of Vechta and from surrounding communities participated.

Community leaders seeking to integrate

The construction of the mosque proceeded very harmoniously in the predominantly Catholic Vechta, in contrast to other cities such as Leipzig, according to all those involved. "The population has met us with great openness and tolerance. There were no problems at all," said the spokesman for the mosque Talha Ahmad Butt. Mayor Helmut Gels (CDU) also expressed his satisfaction while talking to NDR.de. "The understanding of citizens is mainly a merit of the Muslim community leaders who are in regular contact with the city and local residents," said Gels. So it was possible to subsequently approve the second ornamental minaret. The construction was financed entirely by donations from parishioners.

Separate areas for men and women

The mosque has two separate entrances and prayer rooms for men and women to accommodate 100 worshipers each. The times for daily prayers are displayed on special clocks. In addition, there are large sanitary facilities on both sides of the building in which the worshipers can make ablutions. A library of religious books on religious thought in the middle of the mosque for both genders.

Muslims are committed to non-violence

The Ahmadiyya community is a Reform congregation within Islam, which was founded in the late 19th century in India. The association has more than 37,000 members nationwide, with around 150 in Vechta.

More mosques in Lower Saxony are in Hanover, Osnabrück and Stade. Of great importance is the principle of non-violence for the Ahmadiyya Muslims. "Our motto is: Love for All, Hatred for None", Suhail Ahmad said from the mosque in Vechta.


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