The Foundation Stone of the Grand Mosque of Algiers Laid

President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has laid the foundation stone of the Grand Mosque of Algiers.

Mr Bouteflika has conducted on Monday a working visit to the capital Algiers, where he inaugurate several projects and announced the kick off of some others.

The construction works of the Grand Mosque of Algiers are due to start in a couple of days, just after the sealing of the final contract with the China State Construction, director of the Great Mosque Agency, Mohamed Alloui, said.

The contract is estimated at 5.1 billion USD, while the project should be delivered within 48 months.

This religious and cultural monument is to be constructed in Mohamadia neighbourhood, in the eastern outskirts of Algiers, on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea.

Mohammadia used to host the headquarters of “Les Peres Blancs” Catholic Missionary Academy, set up by Cardinal Charles Lavigerie (1825-1892).

In 1892, the French occupation baptized the place where the academy was situated as Lavigerie, on the memory of the late Cardinal.

As soon as the North African nation gained independence, the authorities gave the name of Mohamedia to this neighbourhood, in reference to the prophet Mohamed, peace be upon him.

Yet, President Bouteflika made sure to build an Islamic monument in this place, to stress on the Islamic identity of the independent Algeria.