Mosque Sahaba of Créteil
| Mosque Sahaba of Créteil | |
|---|---|
 The Mosque Sahaba waterjet | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Sunni Islam |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Mosque |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Créteil, Val-de-Marne, Île-de-France |
| Country | France |
  Shown within France | |
| Geographic coordinates | 48°46′52″N 2°26′46″E / 48.78111°N 2.44611°E |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Hubert Anas Hamdallah |
| Type | Mosque architecture |
The Sahaba mosque is located at Créteil, in the Île-de-France region, at the corner of rue Jean-Gabin and the access road to route de Choisy. It has a surface area of 1,200 m2 for a total built area of 4,000 m2, spread over three levels. The part devoted to places of prayer is supplemented by spaces for cultural and leisure purposes, such as a library, multipurpose rooms, a restaurant-tea room and a hammam.
Organization and financing
Financed to the tune of three million by donations and to the tune of one million euros[1] by the city of Créteil (cultural part), the mosque is managed by the Union of Muslim Associations of Créteil.
The laying of the cornerstone took place on October 4, 2006 in the presence of the deputy mayor of Créteil Laurent Cathala, the prefect of Val-de-Marne, the president of the Departmental Council of Val-de-Marne, the imam of the great mosque of Créteil, the bishop of Créteil as well as the rabbi of Créteil.
After the work and improvements during construction (quality of materials, interior decoration, etc.), the initial amount estimated at 4 million euros increased to 5.5 million euros. The town hall's share of funding for cultural spaces remained set at one million euros.
The mosque opened its doors on Wednesday December 3, 2008.[2]
Reactions from leaders of other religions
Daniel Labille, bishop of Créteil:
I completely understand the desire of this community to have a place of worship. The French constitution guarantees freedom of belief, and yet Muslims do not have a place of worship, worthy of the name, to practice their religion. The installation of a mosque in Créteil therefore seems completely normal to me. The best service that we can provide to a community is to prevent it from closing in on itself, it is to try to have relationships with it. From this point of view, the mosque can be a factor of integration. Of course, we can fantasize about Islam while immediately thinking of fundamentalism. I think we need to overcome this fear. Refusing to let this community live its religion openly, like other religions, would be the best way to encourage extremism.[3]
André Benayoun, president of the Jewish community of Créteil:
The Jewish community of Créteil is in favor of the construction of a mosque in Créteil, following the example of all the religious communities of the city which have places of assembly and dignified prayers. This place of worship will allow the Muslim community to feel better integrated into the city of Créteil, which has the motto “Living together”.[3]
References
- ^ « Secteur Centre, comité de quartier No. 8 Val de Brie : Compte rendu de l'assemblée générale du jeudi 28 septembre 2006 », on the website of the commune of Créteil.
- ^ « La mosquée de Créteil ouvre ses portes », NouvelObs.com, December 3, 2008.
- ^ a b « Projet de mosquée : le débat public a commencé », Créteil Vivre ensemble, No. 246, novembre 2004.