vlad.tribnet.com / Issue #546 / Social life / Reading article...

In late October, Primorye’s town of Nakhodka saw the opening of the region’s first Muslim mosque, located in the town’s most visible place on the Lebedinaya sopka. Meanwhile, on the opposite side this small hill, the construction of an orthodox chapel has begun, with the architectural ensemble of the two buildings aimed to symbolize tolerance and reconciliation between Christians and Muslims.

The construction of the two-story mosque, with its 21-meter minaret covered with a golden dome, was started two years ago. The major part of the construction work was performed this year, and was completed by October 24. The opening ceremony was attended by approximately 1,000 people, a press statement from Nakhodka’s administration said.

The Nakhodka mosque is the second in the Russian Far East, after the city of Yakutsk. According to the latest statistics, there are currently about 100,000 Muslims in the Far East of Russia, including 15,000 residing in Nakhodka.

Vladivostok observes the reverse situation. After the city’s Muslim community expressed their wish to construct a mosque in the Prospekt Krasoty, one of the city’s most elevated locations, many from the local orthodox community strongly opposed it. The opponents said the mosque would overshadow the Orthodox Cathedral planned for construction in downtown Vladivostok.

Currently the construction of the mosque, in the city’s Tretya Rabochaya residential district, is under consideration.