French Muslims celebrated when work began to build the country’s biggest mosque in the southern port city of French Muslims. Muslim and government leaders alike hope that work on the Grande Mosque will serve to bind the city together and serve as a community anchor. Marseille is France’s second largest city and home to 250,000 Muslims, many of whom are currently praying in basements, rented rooms and dingy garages. The mosque is expected to be completed in 18 months.
