Tag Archives: bucharest

The Largest Mosque to be Erased in Bucharest Romania

Romanian media is reporting that Turkey will undertake the construction of a large mosque in Bucharest, Romania, which is to be completed within three years. Under an agreement signed between Turkish and Romanian authorities, Turkey will , in turn , allocate land for the construction of a church for Romania in Istanbul.

The mosque and the attached Islamic university was on the agenda of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan when he visited visit Bucharest in April 2015. The two countries reached a deal to speed up plans for the construction of the mosque. The mosque, to be on an area of 13,000 square meters, will have a capacity of 2,000 people. The Romanian government approved the allocation of the land for the mosque for 49 years in one of the central districts of Bucharest. The mosque will address the needs of some 100,000 Muslims living in Romania , housing also a complex with a library, a Quran teaching school and recreational facilities. It will have the characteristics of Ottoman-era architecture and will include an Islamic university hosting up to 6000 students. (http://www.dailysabah.com)

The project was brought to public knowledge while Mr. Viorel Ponta, the Prime Minister of Romania has been hospitalized in Turkey since mid-June.  The Romanian Government was quick to approve the stages leading to the construction of this ambitious yet controversial project which has generated vociferous debate in the media.

Mr. Traian Basescu, former President of Romania, warned against the dangers that this project could generate. Mr. Basescu said that “there is no higher risk than bringing Muslim students to Romania”. He described the Government’s   decision as “irresponsible”. He also said that this project should be analyzed by the High Commission for National Defense and rejected.  (http://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-esential-20277931-traian-basescu-nu-exista-risc-mai-mare-decat-aduci-studenti-musulmani-tara-decizie-nesabuita.htm)

As has been clearly demonstrated around the World, mosques and Islamic universities are often involved in advocating for and supporting terrorism, antisemitism and violence against the “infidels”; Jews and Christians alike.

MCA Romania will always welcome the construction of any House of God where tolerance, love and mutual respect for all humans, irrespective of their religious beliefs, is preached and promoted.

However MCA Romania warns against likely attempts to transform this ambitious project into a center to be used by radical Islamic elements as a regional base for their anti-Semitic, anti-Christian, anti-democracy, pro-terror activities. We urge the Government not to proceed without first investigating fully the sources of funding and the factions that may be behind the construction of this Mosque, and to ensure that this centre will not become a base for spreading hatred and intolerance.

Maximillian Marco Katz

Founding Director and Project Manager

MCA ROMANIA The Center for Monitoring and Combating Antisemitism

Founding Member of PCA – The Forum Against Antisemitism in Romania | ROMANIAN JEWISH VISUAL ARTISTS – Preserving the Jewish Heritage Online  ROMANIAN JEWISH VISUAL ARTIST on FACEBOOK | THE HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL in BUCHAREST | JIDAN ( KIKE in Romanian) = ANTISEMITISM