“Four white prefabs instead of a grand minaret” someone might remark. But look closer. This is the story of the Mosquée d’Arcueil. It is a testament to faith and community resilience.
The Mosquée d’Arcueil stands as a place of worship for the Muslims of Arcueil. It is located at 81 Avenue François Vincent Raspail. The mosque has been at this address since 2011.
Back then the Association Indépendante des Musulmans d’Arcueil or AIMA signed a lease with the city. The city supports the project. A construction permit was granted in 2015. The plan was for a 570 square meter building. It would include prayer rooms for men and women. There would also be a classroom for Arabic and Quran studies.
The project cost was estimated at 1.2 million euros. It was to be funded entirely by donations. But progress was slow. Only 260000 euros had been collected.
Before the prefabs the community prayed in a tent. Up to 400 people gathered there on Fridays. Conditions were difficult. It was very cold in winter. In summer it was too hot. Rats mosquitoes and cockroaches were a constant nuisance. The congregation complained so AIMA sought a temporary solution.
They acquired four prefabricated structures. These came from the old mosque in Bourget. They were in poor condition. But AIMA members like Mehdi renovated them. They installed insulation heating and air conditioning. The restored prefabs were assembled into a 120 square meter space. This was the same area as the tent. But it was much more comfortable.
The treasurer of AIMA is Abdelkader Jaadar. He highlighted the urgency of the situation. He said that at the previous rate they would have remained in the tent for another decade. The association did not want to squat on the land.
The Mosquée d’Arcueil also offers various activities. These include classes on Islam and Arabic. The mosque also handles the preparation of the dead for burial. They organize Ramadan meals. They also commemorate Laylat al-Qadr. This is the Night of Power.
The Mosquée d’Arcueil may appear simple. But it represents a significant step forward for the Muslim community. It provides a more dignified space for worship. It shows the power of community and perseverance.