Finally, the finishes are put on the as-soennhmoskee in Assen. On June 29, 2022, the first pile went into the ground. A little more than three years later the hand is laid on the interior.
Mohamed El Mourabit is shining during the tour. The chairman of the Sunnah Mosque Assen Foundation proudly tells about the donations from the Muslim community. “We hold a benefit at least two to three times a year, both locally and nationally. There are many donations from outside Assen of course. We are also happy with that, with those generous donors.”
Despite those donations, the entire amount is still not received after three years. A few tons are missing. Yet construction has already started. “Financing for the mosque is difficult, in particular because you can’t put a million or two on the bill. That is why we work per phase. As soon as a budget is available, the contractor can continue.”
Due to a conflict with the previous contractor, construction was delayed. The community has therefore been using a temporary place in an office building for three years. Masjid Bouw Groep from Assendelft is the contractor who has picked up the project again. Normally, 70 or 80 percent of the costs must be guaranteed in advance, but that requirement does not have the builder specialized in mosques.
“Mosques are not financed from outside,” says contractor Abderrahman Ait Ichou. “It is really on its own. As a Moroccan Islamic community, we are dependent on crowdfunding and not on a bank, because we do not do interest -related banking matters.” The foundation expects to need two to three tons to have the building ready for use. To dress it up completely, ‘a ton or two’ is added.
Chairman El Mourabit hopes to have the mosque ready for use for the next Ramadan, that is for March next year. According to contractor Ait Ichou that is possible. “It may not be painted. There may not be tiles on the walls. But the basic facilities will be in order so that they can use it. And then the foundation can finish it at their own pace.”