Mahmood Mosque, Zürich

The Mahmud Mosque ( Urdu مسجد محمود, DMG Masǧid Mahmud Mosque of Praise ') at Forchstrasse in Zurich is the first mosque in Switzerland, was built by the Ahmadiyya.

History

The first representative of the Ahmadiyya in Switzerland was Sheikh Nasir Ahmad von 1946 until 1962. He prepared the way for the construction of the mosque. The foundation of the mosque was laid on 25 August 1962 by Amatul Hafiz Begum, daughter of the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. The mosque was opened in the presence of the President of the 17th Session of the UN General Assembly, Sir Muhammad Zafrullah Khan and Zurich Mayor Emil Landolt, in June 1963.

Importance

The Mahmud Mosque is the first mosque in Switzerland and thus has a historical significance for the history of Islam and Muslims in Switzerland. It also forms the headquarters of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Switzerland, and is the workplace of senior imams, the missionary to Switzerland.

Building

The mosque has 179 m², including a dome and about 18 meters a disproportionately high minaret. At the top of the minaret of a crescent is present. The minaret is not used for proclaiming the adhan. The architectural firm of Ernst Goehner and Fritz Badertscher was responsible for the design and implementation of the blueprint. The cost was around 350,000 SFr.

Community

The Ahmadiyya community is one of Switzerland about 700 members. An imam stands in front of Mahmoud Mosque and looks after the members of the Ahmadiyya community in Switzerland. Since its inception, eight imams who are called Murrabis, projected the mosque. Today Walter Walid Tariq Tarnutzer is head of the mosque.

Week of Religion 2013

In November 2013, the minaret was cloaked in the colors of the Peace flag, an international symbol of peace. Thus, the Ahmadiyya Muslim community wanted to put a visible sign of peace and the beginning of the " Week of religion " from 2 to 9 November 2013.

Pictures

Prayer room of Mahmud Mosque