Putin helps open Moscow mosque billed as biggest in Europe

MOSCOW, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Moscow's elaborate new Jum'ah mosque opened Wednesday, with Russian President Vladimir Putin in attendance.

Built to accommodate 10,000 people, the Moscow Cathedral Mosque replaced a 1904 mosque demolished four years ago. It is central to Russia's attempt to develop a unique approach to Islamic worship and education, and to counter terrorism, Putin noted in brief remarks at the opening. He also praised Russia's Muslim community for rejecting extremism.

"Russia's Muslim community dates back centuries and has made an enormous contribution to Russian history. Its humanist values, like those of other religions, teach justice, mercy and caring for one's loved ones," Putin noted.

The privately-funded mosque is one of only six in Moscow, where the Muslim population is estimated by local media at about 2 million. Practicing Muslims typically pray on city streets during major holidays, and proposals to build new houses of worship are often rejected by public pressure provoked by Russian Orthodox Church members.

"One reason why mosques don't get built is public opinion, unfortunately," said Ildar Hazrat Alyautdinov, senior imam of the new mosque. "When we studied the situation, we found that those who initiated such a mood were from the Russian Orthodox Church," he added. "Their activists would rile people up, going door to door telling people that the mosque should not be built. Maybe it is not their official position but the work of activists."