“Can you believe this entire place was funded by a king?” the tour guide asked, gesturing towards the impressive Islamisches Zentrum. Right here in the 21st district of Vienna, the Islamisches Zentrum stands as a beacon of Islamic faith and culture. Its story begins not with minarets and prayer rugs, but with a piece of land. In 1969, the Islamic Community in Vienna acquired a plot, dreaming of a grand mosque. Years passed, and financial constraints threatened to derail the project. Then, a king stepped in. King Faisal bin Abdulaziz al Saud of Saudi Arabia, impressed by the community’s dedication, pledged his personal wealth to finance the mosque’s construction. Work began in 1977, led by the renowned Austrian builder, Richard Lugner. Within two years, the Islamisches Zentrum rose, crowned with its distinctive 32-meter-high minaret and a shimmering dome, 20 meters in diameter. On November 20, 1979, Austrian President Rudolf Kirchschläger inaugurated the mosque. The Islamisches Zentrum became more than just a place of worship. It blossomed into a vibrant center for Islamic culture and education. Remember that generous king? His legacy is forever woven into the fabric of Vienna, a testament to the power of interfaith understanding and the enduring spirit of community.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to