ALGIERS - Algeria is set to build the third-largest mosque in the world facing the Bay of Algiers to hold 120,000 faithful, the government announced Monday.
"Its placement is symbolic. Algiers and its bay were witnesses to the centuries of resistance of the Algerian people" to invaders from the sea, Religious Affairs Minister Boubdallah Ghlamallah said at a press conference.
"Algeria lacks a great mosque emblematic of the period after independence. This project will be in keeping with the ambitions of the people of Algeria," he added.
A more detailed description of this mega-project will be presented to the public over the next few days. The government is not releasing the cost of the mosque, but local architects estimate it will be about 3.0 billion dollars (2.1 billion euros).
Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who revived interest in the longstanding project a few months ago, will pick the winning design from five proposals.
A design competition was organised, drawing entries from 17 candidates from 11 countries.
Although the mosque will be third-largest after Mecca and Medina, planners boast that the Bay of Algiers mosque will contain the tallest minaret in the world at 300 metres (984 feet) high.
Construction is scheduled to start in 2009 with the inauguration planned for 2013.
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