Mevlana Mosque

Dutch are traditionally famous for their tolerance and open mindedness. I think sometimes they are one step ahead of us when they think of themselves one step behind Sweden.

The way they deal with the many different religions is one of the numerous example.

Islam is a growing religion in the Netherlands, as a result of the immigration from the former colonies Surinam and Indonesia and migrant workers from Turkey and Marocco. They tend to be well integrated in the society but bear in mind that this is not without causing some social tensions.

Mevlana is a muslim mosque entirely funded by the muslim community and plays a central role in their life. It has both a religious and social function. People attend the mosque for the prayer which happens five times in a day, but mostly by elderly and unemployed people. The rest of the time the mosque is opened to the muslim community and offers a barber, a shop, a little cafeteria, but also a TV and internet room in order to keep the different generations together.

Inside the prayer room is richly decorated.
On the walls you can see the 99 names of God under a great cupola. Since pictures and paintings are forbidden it is only decorated with caligraphies.
The upper part, on the balcony is where the women pray whereas men pray separately downstairs.
I'm not going through the principles of islam that are taught just remember that their faith is based on the six pillars of islam.

This visit reminded me of the day when my pupils taught me how the muslim community celebrates the Aïd el-Kebir when in return I was explaining them how British people celebrate themselves Christmas.