Al Ansar Mosque Former utilities building eyed as mosque
Bad Godesberg · Plans to move a mosque into a former municipal utility building has raised protests from a community activist group.
A Moroccan culture association, with it’s Al Ansar Mosque on Bonner Straße wants to move to a former municipal utility building at Weststraße 7. The information was released recently by a building subcommittee of the municipality, which viewed the request favorably. Although the property is in an area designated for industrial use, an exception could be made for the mosque. The community activist group Bürger Bund Bonn (BBB) is protesting against the move.
Responding to an inquiry from the General Anzeiger on Thursday, the Moroccan association said they did not want to comment publicly at this early stage of planning. They did release information listing numerous details, however. For example, 350 persons are expected at the regular Friday prayer services. As well, they want to organize a culture center for youth to visit in their free time. Their goal is to foster social and cultural integration of Moroccans and Muslims, and support Moroccan traditions, culture and language in Germany.
Upstairs would be prayer rooms for women and at ground level, prayer rooms for men. Plans also include school rooms to teach their native language, rooms for homework help, for teaching about how to apply for jobs and translating. A mothers’ cafe is planned, as well as a library, shop and offices. In a separate events room, there are plans to put it into use as a theater, for Islamic celebrations, Open Days and meetings on inter-religious dialogue.
They are required to have 21 parking spaces on the property, and this is criticized by Marcel Schmitt of BBB. “The clearly insufficient number of parking spaces in relation to the possible number of visitors will lead to traffic chaos, especially on Friday middays,” said Schmitt. He also had reservations about possible conflicts with the industries that reside in the area, worried that their growth in the area might be limited or even their current existence threatened. (Orig. text: Frank Vallender)
