OREANDA-NEWS. One of the largest mosques in Europe has opened in the city of Shali in the Chechen Republic, which is twice the size of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul and the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, federal media reported.

 The building was built for seven years, it is decorated with marble from the Greek island of Thassos.  The height of the dome is 43 meters, and the minarets are 63 meters.  In terms of capacity, the Pride of Muslims mosque overtakes the famous Blue Mosque in Istanbul.

 The ceremony was timed to the birthday of the father of the current head of the republic, Akhmat Kadyrov.  During the event, Ramzan Kadyrov said that the new mosque, which was previously named after him in the press, will be named in honor of the Prophet Muhammad.

 In total, 200 guests from 43 countries attended the opening ceremony.  Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated residents of Chechnya on the opening of the largest mosque in Europe.  The president called the construction of the mosque "a significant event in the life of the Chechen people."