Seven thousand worshippers a grand vision. That was the plan for the Mosquée de Font Vert in Marseille. A Mediterranean-style mosque designed by the Bureau Architecture Méditerranée. This ambitious project aimed to become the largest mosque in all of France. It was to be a magnificent structure. It was intended for Marseille’s 15th arrondissement.
The dream began much earlier. In 1989 Cheikh Abbas a prominent rector of the Grand Mosque of Paris had a vision. After a large rally in Marseille he created the first regional federation of Muslims in southern France. Imam Bachir Dahmani was appointed president of the Al-Nasr mosque. He took the initiative to build a grand mosque in Marseille. Sadly Cheikh Abbas’s sudden death stalled the project.
Years passed. In 1995 Soheib Bencheikh became the Mufti of Marseille. He formed a council to consider Islamic affairs. He presented a futuristic model of a grand mosque to the press. He requested land from the mayor.
Finally in 2001 Mayor Jean-Claude Gaudin offered land in the northern districts of Marseille. This was on the site of old slaughterhouses. The plan was for a cultural and Muslim cultural center. A steering committee with city officials consulted many people. They tried to understand the situation. They tried to evaluate the challenges.
Two groups of associations formed. The Collectif des Associations Musulmanes de Marseille CAMM and the Coordination des Musulmans de Marseille COMUM. There was strong debate. Differing views were fueled by local media reports. A serious blockage emerged.
After many challenges and delays the building permit was granted. Work began in 2010. The first stone was laid. The planned inauguration was for the Eid al-Adha festival in 2011. However legal issues financial problems and internal conflicts led to the project’s halting. Ultimately the project was abandoned. The site remains a reminder of a dream unrealized. The Mosquée de Font Vert in Marseille remains a fascinating chapter in the city’s history. A story of ambition setbacks and the complexities of large-scale projects.