BY: Dr. Hana Saada
Algiers, Algeria – The first Friday prayer at Djamaâ El Djazaïr will take place this Friday, following its official inauguration last Sunday by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, announced the rectorate of Djamaâ El Djazaïr on Thursday.
In this regard, Bouzid Boumediene, Director of the Cabinet of Djamaâ El Djazaïr, affirmed during a press conference at the mosque’s rectorate that the first Friday prayer at Djamaâ El Djazaïr “will take place tomorrow, following the inauguration by the President of the Republic of the mosque and its various structures.” He noted that all organizational preparations have been “handled by all relevant parties.”
Furthermore, he stated that “the Friday prayer will be broadcast live on Algerian public television channels.”
Meanwhile, an official at Djamaâ El Djazaïr, Mr. Imad Benameur, highlighted that the first Friday prayer at Djamaâ El Djazaïr “will be reminiscent of the first Friday prayer after independence, during which Sheikh Bachir El Ibrahimi delivered the Friday sermon at the Ketchaoua Mosque.”
Regarding the program dedicated to the month of Ramadan, the president of the Scientific Council, Moussa Ismaïl, announced the launch of various activities at all mosque facilities, such as the mosque’s esplanade. He added that the holy month will be an opportunity “for distinguished Algerian reciters to lead the Tarawih prayer according to the Warch An Nafaa reading and to complete the recitation of the Holy Quran by the end of the month.”
He urged worshippers to adhere to instructions to maintain the tranquility of the mosque, which will be open for all prayers. He also announced the opening of the mosque’s website before the month of Ramadan, displaying detailed activity programs.
Regarding the technical aspect, the director of the Djamaâ El-Djazair management and maintenance company, Nassim Mokhtari, affirmed that “all measures will be taken to ensure the availability of structures, especially the prayer hall.”
The Great Mosque of Algiers: A Fusion of Modernity and Tradition
The Great Mosque of Algiers stands as a testament to both modern architectural marvels and traditional Islamic aesthetics. Classified as the largest mosque in Africa and the third-largest in the world, after Masdjid Al-Haram in Mecca and Masdjid Al-Nabawi in Medina, it embodies the fusion of modernity and tradition.
Designed with a modernist approach, the mosque’s interior features Andalusian influences, geometric architecture, and intricate decorations in wood, marble, and alabaster. The walls are adorned with six kilometers of Arabic calligraphy from the Quran, complemented by turquoise prayer mats.
Spanning 27.75 hectares, the mosque’s prayer hall alone covers over 2 hectares, accommodating up to 120,000 worshippers. The hall, resembling a massive cube, stands approximately 22.5 meters high, with a dome soaring to 70 meters at its apex. All religious elements, including the Qibla wall, Mihrab, and Minbar, blend seamlessly into the modern aesthetic of the hall.
One of the most striking features of the mosque is its minaret, standing at a staggering height of 265 meters, making it the tallest in the world. Equipped with elevators, the minaret offers panoramic views of Algiers and the Bay of Algiers, resembling a skyscraper in dimension and function.
The mosque complex extends beyond religious functions, encompassing cultural and educational buildings. These include a house for Quran studies, an Islamic cultural center, a library housing a million books, lecture halls, museums, research centers, and more. These facilities position the mosque as not only a center of religious activity but also a hub for social, cultural, and educational events.
Furthermore, the mosque’s outdoor square, administrative headquarters, underground car park, green spaces, and shops contribute to its functionality and significance in Algerian society. Notably, the mosque boasts a highly effective anti-seismic system, capable of mitigating over 70% of earthquake forces.
The inauguration of the Algiers Mosque represents a significant milestone in Algeria’s religious and cultural landscape, symbolizing the country’s commitment to modernity, tradition, and societal advancement.
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With a significant online presence, Dzair Tube boasts 350,000 subscribers on YouTube, over five million followers on various Facebook pages, and 450,000 subscribers on Instagram. Its digital channel has become a hub for diverse programming, covering news, sports, entertainment, culture, and religion, catering to a broad spectrum of audience preferences.
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