Friday, February 29, 2008

La Grande Mosquée de Paris - Churches - Paris

This beautiful pink marble mosque was built in 1922 to honor the North African countries that had given aid to France during World War I. Today, North Africans living in Paris gather on Friday, the Muslim holy day, and during Ramadan to pray to Allah. Short tours are given of the building, its central courtyard, and its Moorish garden; guides present a brief history of the Islamic faith. However, you may want to just wander around on your own and then join the students from nearby universities for couscous and sweet mint tea at the Muslim Restaurant de la Mosquée de Paris (tel. 01-43-31-18-14), adjoining the grounds, open daily from noon to 3pm and 7 to 10:30pm.

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