First mosque of modern history opens in Athens

The first mosque in the modern history of Athens will open after the Orthodox Easter, to be celebrated on April 28 this year, Report reports citingTASS.

The administrative council of the future mosque, appointed by the Ministry of Education, Research and Religion Affairs of Greece, has recently elected the first imam for a new Muslim temple - the 50-year-old Moroccan Zaki Mohamed, who arrived in Greece for economic reasons about 25 years ago.

The final decision on the appointment of a new imam will be made by the Minister of Education, Research and Scientific Affairs Kostas Gavroglu.

Moreover, the work on equipping the mosque will be carried out at the final stage. A fountain has been built on the territory in front of the mosque, pines have been planted, and decoration work is being completed inside.

Sermons in the Athenian mosque will be allowed only in Greek or - in some cases - in English, and the prayer will be held in Arabic. "The mosque will function throughout the week, opening half an hour before the prayer and closing half an hour after it.

The temple will be open 24 hours a day during the main Islamic holidays.