After years of construction marked by delays and controversy, Algeria officially inaugurated the “Great Mosque of Algiers” on Sunday. The colossal structure, boasting the world’s tallest minaret and a capacity for 120,000 worshippers, is now the third largest mosque globally.
Built by a Chinese firm throughout the 2010s, the mosque reflects a contemporary design infused with traditional Arabic and North African motifs. It houses a library capable of holding up to a million books and even features a helipad. Religious leaders hope the mosque will guide Muslims “toward goodness and moderation,” reflecting Algeria’s emphasis on a moderate interpretation of Islam since overcoming a brutal civil war in the 1990s.
President Abdelmajid Tebboune fulfilled his promise by officially opening the mosque with a ceremony, though the building has been accessible to tourists and state visitors for several years. This timing ensures it will be open to the public for nightly prayers during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan.
Despite its grandeur, the “Great Mosque of Algiers” has been dogged by controversies. Concerns surrounding the site’s seismic vulnerability were dismissed by the government, but the project’s seven-year construction period and soaring cost of $898 million drew the ire of many Algerians, who felt resources could be better directed towards building hospitals.
Originally conceived as a legacy project by former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, the mosque was designed to be Africa’s largest and even bear his name. However, the 2019 protests that led to his resignation after two decades in power thwarted those plans. Suspicions of corruption during Bouteflika’s era further tarnished the project, leading to concerns about kickbacks to state officials during the construction of not only the mosque but also major infrastructure projects like a national highway and housing units.
