Cologne - The foundation stone was laid in Cologne, Germany Saturday for the cathedral city's first purpose-built mosque, after long-running arguments had delayed its construction. The mosque, which will have a 35-metre-high dome and two minarets measuring 55 metres, is to open in about two years' time.
Around 60 right-wing extremists briefly rallied against the mosque, countered by a group of political, religious and social clubs who demonstrated in favour of its construction.
Plans to build the mosque had been criticized by people in Cologne who thought it was too big, and prompted a series of extremist "anti- Islam" rallies.
The former mayor of Cologne, Fritz Schramma, said the building was "a symbol of an opening blossom," inviting curiosity.
Thomas Kufen, the integration commissioner for the state of North-Rhine Westphalia said the mosque was a sign that Muslims had arrived in German society.
"Here, the citizens of Cologne are building a mosque for Cologne," Kufen said, adding that the laying of the foundation stone proved that xenophobia did not stand a chance.
The Turkish-Islamic Ditib organization, responsible for the mosque, said it would also form a centre for the community.
"Today we are laying the foundation for a further sign of peaceful co-existence, for a sign of togetherness, of harmony, of living together and for each other," said Ditib's spokesman Sadi Arslan.
In negotiations with the city, Ditib conceded that the mosque would not broadcast the muezzins' calls to prayer, and would translate the prayer addresses into German.
