There has been much news internationally lately about various restrictions placed on those seeking to build masjids(Austria’s restrictive zoning laws doing everything but banning construction of minarets) as well as flat out bans on masjid construction (like in Bulgaria). I understand that Islamophobia is a powerful force, but it’s truly pitiful that there are enough ignorant bigots, particularly in Europe, to give the force so much strength and disruptive, destructive, demonizing power.
So here’s a positive story for the file folder, made all the more positive in this time of economic crisis.
Masjids in the Netherlands are actually saving the city MILLIONS of dollars.
Image Credit
(Seriously, how cute is this masjid?
And you can tell it’s in the Netherlands, too. Love it!)
All of these activities would normally be sponsored by the city and community centers at considerable cost. 16 masjids were studied and together, they saved 5.2 million euros for the city. The 457 masjids bring that total to 150 million euros annually. The same research methods were used to decide the social return of Protestant churches in the Netherlands as well. These results, hopefully, can be used to inform policy discussions and decisions about possible subsidies of religious institutions by local authorities, and foster a better relationship between government and religious organizations throughout the Netherlands and Europe.
The study will be presented in Utrecht on Friday to representatives of the Contact Organ Muslims and Christians.
