Since the Beginning
Since its humble beginnings in the 1970s, the number of Muslims in Norway has grown significantly, and today there are a number of congregations. Most are housed in temporary buildings such as old villas, industrial buildings, and similar.
World Islamic Mission is located in a purpose-built building. This was Norway’s largest Muslim congregation, but as of the 1st of January 2024, there were 4,792 registered members.
History
World Islamic Mission was established in October 1984 by Muslims of Pakistani descent 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, Vahl secondary school, and Borggata. The foundation stone for the mosque was laid on the 12th of April 1991, and the building was ready for occupancy in 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 decoration of the building is an ongoing 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 adorns the facade and the front wall of the main hall. The tiling work is mainly carried out by Iranian experts. The floor in the main hall is covered with Iranian carpets, and a chandelier from Turkey adorns the room.
