German Mosque Holds Double Friday Prayers Due to Limited Capacity

German Mosque Holds Double Friday Prayers Due to Limited Capacity
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The Turkish-Islamic Community Mosque in Wolfenbüttel, Germany, has been forced to hold its Friday prayers (Jumu’ah) in two separate shifts to accommodate its growing number of worshippers due to severe space limitations, Shia Waves Persian reported.

The mosque, located in the state of Lower Saxony, only has a capacity for around 100 people. The mosque’s attendance swelled significantly following the arrival of Syrian refugees in $2015$ and $2016$.

To manage the overwhelming attendance, participation in Friday prayers is now only possible with prior registration. Unregistered visitors are denied entry, a restriction that has occasionally led to frustration and anger among the worshippers. Holding prayers in two shifts is an unusual solution implemented by the mosque’s management to ensure all interested members of the community can fulfill their religious duties despite the infrastructural constraints.

The issue of limited religious space is not confined to Wolfenbüttel. Many German cities are grappling with the rising Muslim population, which has increased the demand for religious consultation and community activities.

Local media reports indicate that discussions are underway regarding the construction of new mosques or the conversion of existing municipal buildings into religious spaces. These efforts aim to provide secure and organized environments for worship, reflecting the ongoing efforts by both Muslim communities and local authorities to address the growing demographic and spatial challenges.