New Hagia Sophia Mosque Opens in Paris Amid Growing Demand for Worship Spaces
The opening ceremony was attended by Turkish Directorate of Religious Affairs President Ali Erbaş, according to Turkish media outlets.
The mosque, described by organizers as a counterpart to the Hagia Sophia Mosque in Istanbul, adds to the expanding network of Islamic places of worship in the French capital.
During the opening ceremony, Erbaş discussed the historic role of mosques in Islam, citing the Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) construction of Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina.
He referred to mosques as central to “community, unity, and peace,” stating, “Mosques are the most important centers of civilization.”
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Erbaş also referenced a well-known hadith that says a Muslim is one from whom others feel safe in both word and deed. He encouraged attendees to uphold such ethical standards and pointed to the importance of mosque-based education in instilling values such as honesty and compassion.
Following his remarks, Erbaş led a ribbon-cutting and the noon prayer, and offered a prayer of thanks.
He acknowledged those who had contributed to the mosque’s establishment and expressed hope that it would support the moral and spiritual growth of younger generations.
Source: Agencies
