Qatar Charity opens first Islamic centre in Luxembourg

Qatar Charity (QC) has announced the establishment of the first Islamic centre in Luxembourg.The centre was opened by Sheikh Hamad bin Nasser bin Jassim al-Thani, chairman of QC, and would directly benefit more than 3,000 Muslims living in Luxembourg, where there are around 10,000 Muslims, according to a statement.The facility, which is valued at €2.2mn, comprises a mosque, a school, a legal centre and an educational centre for young people.The centre was built over an area of 650sqm. QC’s contributed 75% and the project was implemented by the Islamic Society, Luxembourg.Speaking at the ceremony, which was attended by Qatar’s ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg Sheikh Ali bin Jassim al-Thani, mayor of Luxembourg City Lydie Polfer, Archbishop Jean-Claude Hollerich and other religious leaders, Sheikh Hamad expressed delight at the opening and said: “This centre will be a beacon of peace, goodness and coexistence for the followers of all religions, as per the teachings of our religion, which is the same message that Qatar Charity strives to spread in the world.He extended QC’s gratitude to the Luxembourg government for its assistance.Sheikh Hamad explained that QC pays particular attention to cultural projects in the West in a bid to spread the culture of Islam throughout the world.QC CEO Yusuf bin Ahmed al-Kuwari said, “Qatar Charity is keen to set up such projects in the European continent in light of its social responsibility and in a bid to contribute to the integration of young Muslims into European society.”Polfer expressed happiness at the opening of the centre, which she said would serve the kingdom in general and the city in particular.She thanked QC and all those who contributed to it.The archbishop thanked those in charge and who supported the opening of the centre, noting that he seeks to serve all religions and protect the religious rights of all citizens.Mohsen Maqni, chairman of the Islamic Society, welcomed those present and thanked them for their contribution to the Muslim community.Following the opening ceremony, the officials and dignitaries toured the centre.The facility consists of a mosque that can accommodate Friday prayers, a school that teaches Arabic and memorisation of the Qur’an, a Da’wa centre for the introduction of Islam and promotion of its noble values and an educational centre for the young.The centre aims to achieve a number of important goals, including the introduction of Islam and its principles, highlighting the characteristics and values of civilisation, operationalising the concept of good citizenship and encouraging the positive integration of Muslims in Luxembourg, while allowing them to preserve their religion and cultural identity and paying attention to the continuous training and development of Muslim minority children, expanding cultural dialogue between Muslims and believers of other religions and ideas, encouraging positive interaction and strengthening social peace and the family unit.The centre is also expected to serve the Muslim communities living in neighbouring countries due to its strategic location between France, Germany and Belgium.