Lisbon, Rabi Thani 6/June 27 (IINA) - The Islamic Center in the Portuguese capital is one of the most modern in Europe and is serving well the Muslim community of 35,000.

The center not only has a mosque attached to it, but also an Islamic school, a library, a conference center, and an assembly hall. It depends for its operation on the contributions and donations made by the Muslims themselves and some Muslim countries.

The center’s Board of Directors is planning to hold a number of Islamic conferences and seminars, plus initiating other educational programs and projects. In this connection, the country’s Muslims have donated a sum of US$ 1,500,000, according to the director of the center. He told a Saudi newspaper, ALJAZEERA, that in Portugal, just like in other parts of Europe, there is overwhelming interest on the part of the people to find out more about Islam.

The center is build on a piece of land measuring 2,670 square meters, and Saudi Arabia not only paid 50 percent of the construction cost, but also supplied the center’s mosque with carpets and copies of the Holy Qur’an.

HI/OB/IINA