Scheduled on September 23, the opening ceremony of the decades-old mosque is expected to draw hundreds of political and spiritual leaders of Muslim countries and those of other faiths.
Built in 1904, the historical Moscow Cathedral Mosque, located on Olimpiysky Avenue, was demolished in 2011.
The delegations of the U.S., Turkey, India, Chad, Sudan, Libya and Iraq were the first to confirm their attendance.
World-famous religious figures, and not only Muslims, but also Orthodox Christians, Jews and Buddhists are expected to take part in the official opening.
The Russian Council of Muftis stated that it is not only cultural, spiritual event, but also geopolitically important meeting.
Moscow Cathedral Mosque is the largest mosque in Europe. Its area is about 19 thousand sq meters. It has six levels. Along with the male and female prayer halls, the mosque has a conference hall, including an exhibition gallery
With an official population of 12.5 million, Russia’s capital is now home to at least 1.5 million Muslims.
According to Russia Today, experts say that, by 2050, Muslims will make up about half of Russia’s population, making it one of the world’s largest countries.
