In 2011, it became completely clear that the Cathedral Mosque (Prospect Mira) fell into disrepair: part of the building erected in 1904 collapsed due to numerous cracks. However, in September 2015, the reconstructed and rebuilt temple reopened its doors.
Construction and opening
Traditionally, during major Muslim holidays, crowds of believers can be seen on the Koltsevaya metro line and near Prospekt Mira station. Even those who do not know exactly where the main Moscow mosque is located can easily determine this by these signs.
The fact is that in the Russian capital there are only 4 temples for Muslims, and next to the Olympic sports complex is the largest of them. From 2011 to 2015, the mosque was inaccessible due to overhaul and expansion of the old building, which became more than a century of emergency use.
According to experts, the construction cost about 200 thousand US dollars. The main source of funding is the Dagestan businessman Suleiman Kerimov, who became the main sponsor and was awarded a nameplate on the wall of the building. The Turkish government and another Russian millionaire Mikhail Gutseriev also contributed . And this money was spent wisely: the building consists of 6 levels, its total area has increased by about 20 times, there are separate entrances for men and women, ramps and elevators are also equipped for people with limited mobility. In addition, it is planned that excursions will be held here, for single tourists the doors of the temple are also always open.
The opening of the rebuilt building took place on 09/23/2015. In addition to the clergy, Vladimir Putin, Nursultan Nazarbayev, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as well as the heads of several Russian republics attended the ceremony.
In its design, the Moscow Cathedral Mosque (Prospect Mira) combined Muslim traditions and some features of Russian architecture. For example, minarets resemble the shape of the Kremlin tower.
Facts
The Moscow Cathedral Mosque (Prospect Mira) in Soviet times was the only functioning Muslim church in Moscow.
Before the 1980 Olympics, it was decided to demolish the building, but Arab ambassadors and Russian religious leaders stood up for it.
It is the largest in Europe and one of the two highest in the Russian Federation (along with the one under construction in Ufa). The capacity is about 10 thousand people.
A significant part of the things for the interior was donated by the Turkish government. In particular, front doors, chandeliers, and prayer rugs were delivered from abroad.
Since October 2015, the mosque (Prospect Mira) has been the location of the hair of the Prophet Muhammad, attracting thousands of believers to the temple.
Location
The new building stands in the same place as the old mosque on Prospect Mira. Address: Vypolzov Lane, Building 7. The Council of Muftis of Russia is located at the same address .