KSA-aided mosque opens in Nice

A Saudi-funded mosque in Nice opened its doors for the first time Saturday, after a 15-year tussle with the local town hall.

The Nicois En-nour Institute Mosque received authorization to open early Saturday from the local prefect, substituting for town mayor Philippe Pradal, who recently took over from Christian Estrosi.
Estrosi was implacably opposed to the construction of the mosque and in April had secured the green light to sue the French state in a bid to block its opening in the southern city.
He had accused the building’s owner of “advocating Shariah” and wanting to “destroy all of the churches on the Arabian peninsula.”
Estrosi, mayor since 2008, said that the project which was initiated under his predecessor in 2002 was unauthorized. However the mosque’s opening was described as “a real joy,” by Ouassini Mebarek, lawyer and head of a local religious association.
“But there is no smug triumphalism,” he told AFP. “This is recognition of the law, and a right to freely practice one’s religion in France in accordance with the values of French Republic.”
“A Muslim prefers the house of God to his own home, provided it is beautiful,” said Abdelaziz, one of the worshippers who came to pray with his son Mohamed.
In the room reserved for women Amaria, a mother from neighboring Moulins said: “Today we are happy. Happy and relieved to have found this place.... We are tired of hiding ourselves, we aren’t mice!”

Source: Arab News