The Moscow authorities are ready to provide six sites for the construction of mosques in different administrative districts of Moscow, Izvestia reported on Monday.
“Muslim Board of Russia’s European Part already know three sites, which will be approved after several years of debate. They are located in Southern Butovo, Lyublino, and near the metro station Shosse Entuziastov,” the paper reported.
Other buildings needed by the Muslim community will also be built on the provided territories, Ravil Gainutdin, chairman of the Muslim Board of Russia’s European Part, told.
A source in the Moscow government has confirmed to Interfax that the three sites (Lyublino, Butovo, and Shosse Entuziastov) have already been approved, although no final decision has been made.
“We have approved some requests, which will now be discussed with residents and the local prefectures,” the source said.
A source in the Moscow mayor’s office also said the other requests made by Islamic organizations are now being considered.
“There are at least 1.5 million Muslims in Moscow. If we divide this number by ten districts, we will see that there needs to be at least one mosque taking up to 1,500 people per 150,000 Muslims,” Gainutdin said.
Muslims are currently not raising the question of additional mosques on the territory of “the new Moscow,” the mufti said.
There are currently six mosques in Moscow.