The Guardian: Barcelona bullfighting ring may become Europe's largest mosque (You would think that a nation that was occupied by Islam for over 700 years would have learned something.)

Barcelona bullfighting ring may become Europe's largest mosque



Islamic Federation of Catalonia says Qatari emir is backing €2.2bn plan for mosque on site of disused Plaza Monumental

The site of a former bullfighting ring in Barcelona could one day house the largest mosque in Europe, members of Barcelona's Muslim community have said after announcing they have found a backer willing to cover the €2.2bn cost of the ambitious project.

Mowafak Kanfach, of the Islamic Federation of Catalonia, said Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, had expressed interest in buying La Plaza Monumental, a former bullfighting ring that has sat largely unused since hosting Catalonia's last bullfight in 2011.

Since the region's ban on bullfighting came into effect, several plans have been batted around for the imposing century-old neo-mudéjarbuilding, including a street market, luxury flats and a green space.

Kanfach told the Spanish daily 20 Minutos that a purpose-built mosque was desperately needed for Barcelona's large Muslim community. Current plans envision a renovation that would take five years and employ an estimated 4,000 people. Kanfach said the mosque would have a capacity of up to 40,000 worshippers under its 300-metre minaret. . . .

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/25/barcelona-bullfighting-ring-mosque-plan