Mosque Controversy Continues
The Muslim League in Poland has begun construction of the biggest mosque in Poland - a modern, three-story structure with an 18-metre high minaret. The mosque will also function as a cultural centre organizing educational and cultural events in the building. According to thenews.pl, there are 35 to 40 000 Muslims living in Poland today including Poles, Tatars, Arabs, Turks, and Palestinians. Of this group, 11 to 13 000 live in Warsaw.
The construction of the new mosque in Warsaw attracted a huge amount of media attention, and three separate groups of activists gathered on Saturday 27 March to voice their opinions at the mosque's site. One group of protesters was from the Future of Europe organization who claim that while they are not against the Islamic religiton per se, they do fear the "Islamification" of Europe. The group says that the construction of the mosque was funded by a sponsor connected with a radical Islamic group. Another group of protesters, was the All-Polish Youth known for their far-right, conservative leanings. Finally, a group of pro-mosque supporters were also at the site on Saturday, promoting a multi-cultural Poland.
There are now three mosques in Poland - one in Gdansk, and two historic wooden mosques in the formerly Tatar area of north-eastern Poland.