Algeria has unveiled a monumental mosque along its Mediterranean coastline after years of political upheaval that hindered its completion.
The Great Mosque of Algiers was officially inaugurated on Sunday by Algerian President, Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
Constructed by a Chinese construction firm throughout the 2010s, the mosque boasts the world’s tallest minaret, towering at 265 meters (869 feet).
It ranks as the third-largest mosque globally, the largest in Africa, and the most expansive outside Islam’s holiest cities, with a prayer room capable of accommodating 120,000 worshippers.
Additionally, the mosque includes amenities such as a helicopter landing pad and a library designed to house up to one million books.
Despite its grandeur, the mosque’s construction faced numerous setbacks and disputes over its seven-year duration, including debates over its seismic-prone location.
However, the state has refuted claims regarding seismic concerns. The project’s official cost is reported to be $898 million.
