News and Analysis on Islam in Europe and North America
News Agencies – June 19, 2012 A French appeals court has approved the construction of a large mosque in the city of Marseille, home to an estimated 250,000 Muslims. The mosque, seen as a symbol of Islam’s growing presence in France, has attracted national controversy. The court overturned an October ruling by Marseille’s administrative
News Agencies – October 31, 2011 A French court has annulled the construction permit for a mega-mosque in Marseille. The court ruling represents a major setback for proponents of the mosque, which has long been touted as the biggest and most potent symbol of Islam’s growing place in France — and Europe. The move
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
Plans to build a grand mosque in France’s second-largest city of Marseille have set off fears. “I’m going to bomb it when it opens,” an older French man told The New York Times Monday, December 28, wishing to be unnamed. Plans are underway to build a $33-million grand mosque in the port city in April
The Open Society Institute Muslims in Europe report series constitutes the comparative analysis of data from 11 cities in seven European countries. It points out common trends and offers recommendations at the local, national, and international levels, including to the European Union and to international organizations. While not representative of the situation of all Muslims