Hey hey, seriously?! The 9-story new mosque (Tokyo Central Masjid) project currently under construction in Okachimachi, Japan.
The religious corporation Assalam Foundation (representative: Mohammed Nazir) is carrying out this project with a total budget of approximately 2.4 billion yen. They have collected around 1.875 billion yen in donations from Muslims both in Japan and overseas.
Mr. Nazir also serves as the representative director of Gyokuo Co., Ltd. (a jewelry business), earning revenue through physical stores and online shopping.
The new facility is said to be capable of accommodating over 1,500 people (some sources mention up to 1,600) simultaneously for Friday prayers.
Although the plan included placing a halal-compliant convenience store on the first floor, there are currently no signs of it whatsoever.
Looking at the scale of this project and the flow of funds, honestly, I feel nothing but unease.
If they can gather such a huge amount of money, I’d first want them to prioritize the removal of the illegally constructed mosque in Kawagoe.
I have serious doubts about whether there has been proper transparency on the religious corporation’s funds, detailed explanations of how the money will be used, and sufficient consensus-building with the local community — particularly regarding the impact on the area, Japanese culture, and the quiet daily lives of nearby residents.