The Moscow government agreed to the construction of three mosques in different areas of the city, Izvestia reported on Monday, December 17, with reference to the Chairman of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the European Part of Russia, the head of the Council of Muftis of Russia, Ravil Gainutdin.

Photo: ITAR-TASS

He said that mosques will be built in South Butovo, Lyublino and the vicinity of the Shosse Entuziastov metro station.

R. Gainutdin’s words were confirmed by the capital’s mayor’s office. The publication's source noted that three sites have already been agreed upon, but this decision is not yet final. According to him, applications will be discussed with residents of the above-mentioned areas and local prefectures.

R. Gainutdin said that the Moscow authorities are ready to allocate three more plots for the construction of mosques and other buildings necessary for the Muslim community. There is no talk yet about additional mosques on the territory of “New Moscow”.

Let us recall that in September, after protests by local residents, the authorities changed their minds about building a mosque in Mitino. The townspeople achieved the same result in 2010, when, after rallies and collecting signatures, the construction of a mosque was stopped in Tekstilshchiki.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin in October also questioned the need to build new mosques in the city. If only Muscovites who permanently reside in the capital and have a residence permit went to mosques, the current influx would not exist, he is sure.

Now there are six mosques in the capital: the Cathedral Mosque on Mira Avenue, the historical mosque in the former Tatar settlement in Zamoskvorechye, the memorial mosque in Victory Park, the Sunni Yardyam mosque and the Shiite Inam mosque (located in the same building in the religious complex in Otradnoye) , as well as a Shiite mosque in the embassy city of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Six new mosques may be built in Moscow