Small streams make big rivers.” Mohamed Zaïdouni, vice-president of El Amal, has made the proverb his own. In Rennes, the mosque project at Pâtis Tatelin, supported by his association, is struggling to get out of the box it has been in since its launch in 2016.
There is no reason to lose hope, however. This summer, the collection launched to finance the building reached €600,000. That is 12% of the estimated €5 million needed to build this building with Andalusian accents on a 3,500 m² plot of land made available by the City, according to information published in Le Mensuel de Rennes in September.
This project – which includes a cultural centre and a mosque that can accommodate 300 people (800 for major dates in the Islamic calendar) – could nevertheless move into second gear by the end of the year according to the president of the Regional Council of the Muslim Faith in Brittany.
He estimates that today there is a shortfall of €200,000 to move on to the first phase of the work: the foundations of the building. “When the work begins, it will boost morale at the
Muslim community and a boost for the continuation of the project,” he hopes.
“People have nowhere to go”
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An “emergency”, according to him, especially since the arson attack on the Maurepas mosque in June 2022. “To the north-east of Rennes, people have nowhere to pray. They have to go to Blosne, Avicennes, Vezin…” Result: today, some mosques are overflowing.
“If you go to the one in Blosne on Friday, you can see people praying in public spaces. I am aware that this does not give a good image.”
Beyond the financing issues, El Amal is also facing a vast revolt. Since the project was discovered in the press in June 2023, the residents’ collective Halte au concretnage du parc des Gayeulles has been mobilizing against the construction of the building. For environmental reasons, insist the members of the collective, which claims 5,000 signatories against the project.
“Clearly, the problem is not the mosque,” insists the president of the association La Nature en ville, which supports the residents’ group. Pascal Branchu pleads for the building to be integrated into the urban renewal operation of Maurepas. A demand that has fallen on deaf ears.
No building permit filed
The association, assisted by lawyer Corinne Lepage, nevertheless intends to carry out a diagnosis of the flora and fauna of the planned plot. “This is what the elected officials refuse to do,” complains Pascal Branchu, while pointing out the “refusal of the mayor to (give us) access to the entire file.”
The City assures that it has received the association and the collective twice. It also indicates that it informed El Amal, at the beginning of 2024, of “the obligations relating to urban planning law for its project”. Among these obligations, a biodiversity impact study. According to Mohamed Zaïdouni, the study is indeed planned. But the City affirms today that it does not
having been informed of the progress of the procedures and underlines that no permit
to build has not been filed.
– What challenges does the El Amal association face in building a mosque in Rennes?
Small Streams Make Big Rivers: The Struggle to Build a Mosque in Rennes
The ancient proverb “small streams make big rivers” has become a rallying cry for Mohamed Zaïdouni, vice-president of El Amal, an association dedicated to building a mosque and cultural center in Rennes, France. Despite the project’s slow progress since its launch in 2016, Zaïdouni remains optimistic, inspired by the proverb’s message of perseverance and collective effort.
A Beacon of Hope in Rennes
This summer, the collection launched to finance the building reached €600,000, a significant milestone in the association’s fundraising efforts. Although this represents only 12% of the estimated €5 million needed to complete the project, it is a promising start. The mosque, designed with Andalusian accents, will be built on a 3,500 m² plot of land made available by the City of Rennes.
A Cultural Center for the Community
The project encompasses not only a mosque that can accommodate 300 people (800 for major dates in the Islamic calendar) but also a cultural center. This comprehensive facility is essential for the local Muslim community, which currently lacks a dedicated space for worship and cultural activities.
Breaking Down Barriers
Zaïdouni believes that the project’s completion is crucial, especially in the aftermath of the arson attack on the Maurepas mosque in June 2022. The attack has left the community without a place of worship, forcing them to travel to neighboring municipalities. “To the north-east of Rennes, people have nowhere to pray. They have to go to Blosne, Avicennes, Vezin…” The president of the Regional Council of the Muslim Faith in Brittany emphasizes that the mosque’s construction is an emergency, as it will provide a much-needed space for the community.
Environmental Concerns and Controversy
Beyond the financing issues, El Amal faces opposition from a residents’ collective, Halte au concretnage du parc des Gayeulles, which claims 5,000 signatories against the project. The collective cites environmental concerns, advocating for the building’s integration into the urban renewal operation of Maurepas. However, Pascal Branchu, president of the association La Nature en ville, which supports the residents’ group, insists that the problem is not the mosque itself, but rather the environmental impact of the construction.
No Building Permit Filed
Despite the controversy, El Amal has not yet filed a building permit. The association, assisted by lawyer Corinne Lepage, plans to conduct a diagnosis of the flora and fauna on the planned plot. This move is seen as a necessary step towards addressing the environmental concerns and finding a solution that balances the needs of the community with those of the environment.
A Message of Hope and Perseverance
In the face of adversity, Zaïdouni’s perseverance is inspired by the proverb ”small streams make big rivers.” He believes that the collective efforts of the community will ultimately lead to the realization of the mosque and cultural center. As he optimistically puts it, “When the work begins, it will boost morale at the Muslim community and a boost for the continuation of the project.”
The project’s success would not only provide a vital space for the Muslim community in Rennes but also serve as a testament to the power of collective effort and determination. As the proverb so eloquently puts it, even the smallest contributions can come together to create something truly remarkable – a beacon of hope and inclusivity in the heart of Rennes.
Keywords:
Mosque project in Rennes
El Amal association
Mohamed Zaïdouni
Cultural center
Muslim community in Rennes
Environmental concerns
Residents’ collective
Building permit
Collective effort
Perseverance
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“Small streams make big rivers”
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* Perseverance in the face of adversity
– What efforts is the El Amal Association making to raise funds for the mosque in Rennes?
Small Streams Make Big Rivers: The El Amal Association’s Quest to Build a Mosque in Rennes
The age-old proverb “small streams make big rivers” has taken on a new significance for Mohamed Zaïdouni, vice-president of the El Amal association. In Rennes, France, Zaïdouni’s organization has been working tirelessly to bring a mosque project to life, despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks. The proposed mosque, which would feature an Andalusian-inspired design on a 3,500 m² plot of land, aims to provide a spiritual hub for the city’s Muslim community.
The Need for a New Mosque
The need for a new mosque in Rennes is pressing, according to Zaïdouni. “People have nowhere to go,” he stresses, highlighting the shortage of prayer spaces in the north-east of the city. Currently, worshippers are forced to travel to surrounding areas, such as Blosne, Avicennes, and Vezin, to attend services. This has led to overcrowding in existing mosques, with some even forced to pray in public spaces.
Fundraising Progress
Despite the challenges, there is cause for optimism. This summer, the collection launched to finance the building reached €600,000, representing 12% of the estimated €5 million needed to complete the project. Zaïdouni hopes that the work will move into second gear by the end of the year, pending a shortfall of €200,000 to cover the foundation work.
Environmental Concerns
However, the project has also faced opposition from a residents’ collective, Halte au concretnage du parc des Gayeulles, which cites environmental concerns as the reason for their objections. The collective claims to have gathered 5,000 signatures against the project, expressing fears about the impact on local biodiversity.
No Building Permit Filed
To date, no building permit has been filed, and the City of Rennes has informed El Amal of its obligations under urban planning law. Among these obligations is a biodiversity impact study, which Zaïdouni confirms is planned. However, the City denies having been informed of the progress of the procedures.
Challenges Ahead
So, what challenges does the El Amal association face in building a mosque in Rennes? According to Zaïdouni, the biggest hurdle is securing the necessary funding to complete the project. Additionally, the association must navigate the complex web of bureaucracy and address the environmental concerns raised by the residents’ collective.
Conclusion
As Mohamed Zaïdouni’s proverb reminds us, even the smallest contributions can collectively make a big impact. The story of El Amal’s mosque project in Rennes serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and community spirit. Despite the obstacles, Zaïdouni remains optimistic that the mosque will eventually become a reality, providing a vital spiritual hub for the city’s Muslim community.
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