The Beginning
Since its humble beginnings in the 1970s, the number of Muslims in Norway has grown significantly, and today there are numerous congregations. Most are housed in temporary buildings such as old villas, industrial buildings, and similar structures.
World Islamic Mission is located in a building constructed for this purpose. This was Norway’s largest Muslim congregation, with 4,792 registered members as of January 1, 2024. Today, the mosque has several external branches affiliated with WIM centrally located on Åkebergveien. These include branches in Holmlia, Stovner, Strømmen, and Jessheim.
WIM promotes traditional Islamic values while also addressing contemporary challenges. We also work to foster greater understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims. Through gatherings, seminars, lectures, publications, and digital platforms, WIM disseminates authentic Islamic knowledge. With various subgroups, we reach broadly into society, ensuring that Islam’s rich tradition can continue to inspire.
All our success comes from Allah and His blessing upon our community.
History
World Islamic Mission was established in October 1984 by Muslims of Pakistani background as the fourth Muslim congregation in Oslo. Before the mosque at Åkebergveien 28 B was completed, the congregation was housed in old warehouses in Urtegata, in Vahl secondary school, and in Borggata. The foundation stone for the mosque was laid on April 12, 1991, but the building was not ready for occupancy until 1994/95.
The Mosque Building
The mosque in Åkebergveien has a gross area of 1,260 square meters distributed over three floors, a gallery, and two minarets. It can accommodate approximately 700 people, making it the second-largest mosque in Norway. The building is primarily financed by the congregation’s members and state membership support, in addition to extensive volunteer work.
Adornment
The adornment of the building is a continuous process. The walls, both exterior and interior, are decorated with tiles from Iran and Spain. Calligraphy from the Quran is a central motif on the tiles, which adorn the facade and the front wall of the main hall. The tiling was primarily carried out by Iranian tilers. Subsequently, it was discovered that the tiles could not withstand the Norwegian climate.
The floor in the main hall is covered with Iranian carpets, and a chandelier from Turkey adorns the room.
