ROTTERDAM, 22/10/03 - The construction of what will be the largest mosque in Europe got underway in Rotterdam yesterday. For the Moroccan community, a "dream has come true", stated M. Al Sayegh on behalf of the Essalam Mosque management as the foundation stone was laid.

A great deal of commotion surrounded the arrival of the mosque during the past few months. The municipality agreed in principle with the Essalam foundation that the original design would be adjusted. The 50 meter high minarets and the large dome were too Arabian, considered alderman Pastors. But last week, the mosque reported it was sticking to the original design after all. Pastors had no choice but to accept this as the construction had already been approved in 1999.

Mayor Opstelten did not seem to take any offense yesterday. The mosque "is nice for Rotterdammers to see or to show others", as he commented. He did however acknowledge that he would have preferred some adjustments. "We believe that the propagation of faith sometimes benefits from a reserved rather than an explicit approach. "

The mosque has a separate entrance for men and women. In addition to a prayer hall, it will house a shop, library, kitchen, classrooms, offices and a conference hall. The construction is financed by a sheikh from the United Arab Emirates and should be complete in 2005.

The huge mosque will replace Essalam's smaller prayer house in Rotterdam. Essalam received a poor rating in a municipal research report last June into the social role of Rotterdam's mosques. The conclusion read that Essalam organized activities that did too little to promote integration.