Mohammed VI Mosque of Abidjan officially inaugurated Friday

The Mohammed VI Mosque in Abidjan was officially inaugurated on Friday with the performance of the Noon Prayer.

The mosque was inaugurated, in accordance with the high instructions of King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, by the Mohammed VI Foundation of African Ulema, in collaboration with the relevant Ivorian authorities.

Special Advisor to the President of the Republic, in charge of Religious and Social Affairs, Drissa Koné, who represented Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara at the official inauguration ceremony of the Mohammed VI Mosque said the religious institution reflects the excellence of the centuries-old relations between Morocco and Côte d’Ivoire.

“This architectural jewel” testifies to the “centuries-old and multidimensional” relations between Côte d’Ivoire and Morocco, Koné, said.

These enduring ties are reinforced by a strong friendship which is manifested through the various achievements accomplished within the framework of cooperation between the two countries, like the Mohammed VI Mosque in Abidjan, he added.

According to the Special Advisor to the President of the Republic, this Mosque also testifies to the relationship of friendship and brotherhood between the Heads of State of the two countries, HM King Mohammed VI and His Excellency President Alassane Ouattara.

“The President of the Republic would like to thank HM the King and all the Moroccan people for this Mosque which remarkably reflects the depth of cooperation between the two friendly countries and the two brotherly peoples,” he said.

For his part, Grand Chancellor of the National Order, Ally Coulibaly, underlined that the Mohammed VI Mosque in Abidjan reflects the excellence of relations between Morocco and Côte d’Ivoire, and constitutes as well a very strong symbol of the bonds of brotherhood between the Moroccan and Ivorian people.

Ousmane Diakité, President of the Superior Council of Imams, Mosques, and Islamic Affairs (COSIM) of Côte d’Ivoire, emphasized, on his part, the profound significance of the mosque as a symbol of peace, solidarity, and coexistence in Islam.

Mr. Diakité underlined the historical precedence set by the King in spreading Islam throughout Africa, particularly in West Africa, through this majestic religious edifice.

Expressing gratitude on behalf of the entire Muslim community, Mr. Diakité commended King Mohammed VI for his dedication to fostering values of solidarity and brotherhood. He highlighted the pivotal role the mosque would play in spiritual and educational endeavors within the community.

Cheick Moustapha Sonta, President of the Mohammed VI Foundation of African Ulema, echoed these sentiments, expressing profound appreciation to the King for his generosity in providing the mosque for the Ivorian and Muslim communities.

Aside from serving as a place of worship, the Mohammed VI Mosque will function as a hub for Quranic education and the promotion of moderate Islam. Sonta emphasized the Foundation’s commitment to upholding the authentic values of Islam and fostering cooperation among Muslim scholars across Africa.

Several members of the Ivorian cabinet attended the mosque inauguration. These include Minister of the Interior and Security, Vagondo Diomandé; Minister of National Education and Literacy, Mariatou Koné; Minister of Heritage, Moussa Sanogo; and the Minister of Trade and Industry, Souleymane Diarassouba.

The Ivorian Senate Speaker, Kandia Kamara; the President of the Economic, Social, Environmental and Cultural Council of Côte d’Ivoire, Eugène Aka Aouélé; and the President of COSIM, Ousmane Diakité, also took part at this event.

The Friday prayer sermon was delivered by Yazid Radi, President of the Souss-Massa Region Ulema Council and representative of the Moroccan Supreme Council of Ulema, who emphasized the value of brotherhood in Islam and the strong relations between Morocco and Côte d’Ivoire.

A religious ceremony commemorating Laylat Al Qadr (the Night of Destiny) was held on Friday evening at the Mohammed VI Mosque with the participation of Ulema, caliphs of Sufi brotherhoods, and Ivorian and Moroccan religious guides.

The Mohammed VI Mosque in Abidjan will work to spread wisdom, teach the Holy Quran, celebrate prayers, and promote the noble values of peace, tolerance and dialogue, as advocated by the Muslim religion.

The Mosque will help share Moroccan expertise in managing the religious field, based on the common religious fundamentals between the two countries, symbolizing the fraternal and historic ties between the Ivorian and Moroccan peoples.

Construction work on the Mohammed VI Mosque in Abidjan was launched on March 3, 2017 by King Mohammed VI and Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara.

The work, carried out by Moroccan craftsmen, scrupulously adhered to traditional, authentic Moroccan architectural standards in all their splendor.

The Mosque covers an area of 25,000 m2 and includes a prayer hall with a capacity of 7,000 worshippers, as well as a conference room, a library, a commercial complex, green spaces, and administrative offices.