RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Fund for Development (SFD) has sponsored a SAR2 million ($533,000) project to rennovate the King Abdulaziz Mosque in Tunis, Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
The mosque in the Al-Manar district of the Tunisian capital was established 35 years ago by Abdullah Al-Wasif, the former president of the Supreme Islamic Council in Tunisia, who sought support and funding from the government of the then-monarch of Saudi Arabia, the late King Fahd.
The King Abdulaziz Mosque can accommodate approximately 3,500 worshipers on a total area of 500 square meters, with three floors, including a floor for women to pray.
The mosque features a unique external architectural design, blending white and green colors, representing the colors of the Kingdom’s flag.
The imam of the mosque, Sheikh Ismail Al-Yanbui, confirmed the mosque’s financing was entirely through a Saudi donation from King Fahd and that it remains spiritually and geographically linked to the Kingdom, taking its name from King Abdulaziz and located on a street named after him.
Saudi Ambassador to Tunisia, Abdulaziz bin Ali Al-Saqer, renewed in a statement to SPA the Kingdom’s constant interest in supporting mosques and places of worship in all Arab and Islamic countries, according to its Vision 2030.
He also pointed out the keenness of the Kingdom’s leadership to accelerate mosque restoration projects across the concerned countries.
Relations between Saudi Arabia and Tunisia have advanced to encompass all fields, particularly the religious sphere, with the Kingdom regularly supporting religious institutions and mosques in the North African country.
The Kingdom has been donating to mosques in different regions of Tunisia and supporting various projects, most of which were through the SFD.
