Named after Bilal ibn Rabah, the first Muezzin of Islam, stands the Bilal Moschee. Let’s uncover the story of this spiritual place in Berlin.
The Bilal Moschee in Berlin is located on Drontheimer Straße in Gesundbrunnen. It shares its name with other Bilal Moschees around the world. These mosques commemorate Bilal ibn Rabah. He was an Abyssinian slave freed by Abu Bakr. Bilal’s beautiful voice led him to become the first Muezzin. He called Muslims to prayer.
There are several Bilal Moschees in Germany. You can find them in Aachen, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg and Mönchengladbach. There are also Bilal Moschees outside of Germany. You can find them in France, Iran and Austria.
The Bilal Moschee in Aachen, Germany, has an interesting history. It was built between 1964 and 1971. The Internationale Muslimische Studenten Union e. V. was the initial builder. Today, the Islamisches Zentrum Aachen e. V. manages it.
The foundation stone was laid in 1964. The mosque opened in 1967. However, the minaret and interior details were still in progress. The minaret was completed in 1971. In 2012, the Bilal Moschee became a protected monument in Aachen.
Rudolf Steinbach and Gernot Kramer designed the mosque. They were from the Technische Hochschule Aachen. The construction cost 800,000 DM. Fourteen Islamic states contributed. These included Mali, Indonesia, Malaysia, Persia, and several Arab states. The city of Aachen donated 10,000 DM.
The building combines mosque architecture with modern design. Originally, it featured exposed concrete facades. The courtyard was covered in 1979/80. This created a larger hall. The prayer hall originally accommodated 150-180 people. After the expansion, it could hold up to 600 people.
The Islamisches Zentrum Aachen e. V. was registered in 1978. It provides a legal structure for the Bilal Moschee. Issam El-Attar led the IZA from 1978 to 1996. He aimed to integrate Muslims into society. The IZA promotes dialogue. It works with various organizations.
So, while we stand here, remember the story of Bilal. He was a symbol of freedom and faith. The Bilal Moschee continues to be a place of worship and community.