Muslims in Marseille Fund Their Own Mosques Amid Shortage of Prayer Spaces

Muslims in Marseille Fund Their Own Mosques Amid Shortage of Prayer Spaces
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Muslim associations in Marseille are funding new mosques themselves as the city faces a major shortage of places of worship.

Marseille, home to around 300,000 Muslims, has only about 60 mosques and prayer rooms, forcing many worshippers to pray in streets, parks, or stadiums during major religious occasions.

French law prohibits direct state funding for mosques, while foreign funding has been tightly restricted under the 2021 law on respect for the values of the Republic. As a result, Muslim associations rely mainly on donations from worshippers and the wider community.

The ACM13 association is building a 400-capacity mosque in Marseille’s 13th district at a cost of nearly 450,000 euros, largely funded by contributions from mosques in other parts of France. Another association, 2C2M, has raised 1.2 million euros to convert a former industrial building into a mosque, though several million euros are still needed.

Community leaders say fundraising remains difficult due to poverty in parts of Marseille and lingering mistrust after the failed Grand Mosque of Marseille project.

Beyond worship, the new mosques are intended to serve as community centers, offering cultural activities, school support, employment advice, and youth spaces in disadvantaged neighborhoods.