Nice Muslim Group Revives Plans for Major Mosque After City Abandons Project

"We are committed to making the project a success," said Zoubir Zehioua, president of the Organization of Muslims of the French Riviera (OMCA) and manager of the Attaqwa prayer hall, one of the oldest mosques in Nice.

For Zoubir Zehioua, who has launched a petition to save Attaqwa whose lease was terminated in December, the great mosque project he proposes to take over is an opportunity to provide the faithful with a sustainable infrastructure.

"It is out of the question to let this beautiful fundamental infrastructure for all Muslims and non-Muslims drown!" insisted Zoubir Zehioua, who intends to work on this project "with the support of the mayor".

What about the financing of the project? The president of the OMCA announced that two business leaders have already come forward and assured that others will follow. Moreover, Zoubir Zehioua does not rule out the possibility of forming alliances with other Muslim worship actors to carry out the project. Because for him, "what matters is that we don’t bury this mosque that has been awaited for so long".

The great mosque of the Plaine du Var is planned to be built on an area of 1,000 m² on a plot of land belonging to the city, to the west next to the former SONACOTRA.