Turkey's Diyanet center in US to send out peace message

By Kasim Ileri & Erkan Avci

WASHINGTON

The Diyanet Center of America will send out a message of peace, Turkey’s head of religious affairs said Wednesday.

In remarks made to Anadolu Agency at the center located in Maryland, some 21 kilometers (13 miles) from Washington, Mehmet Gormez said: “This is not just a mosque, a cultural center or a research center.

“This is a civilizational center producing true knowledge in its research, culture and art centers. This center is going to have its unique language and philosophy.”

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will officially launch the center on April 2.

The complex features classic Ottoman architecture built on a 60,000 square-meter (64,600-square-foot) area. It includes traditional Turkish baths for men and women, swimming pools, a multi-purpose hall and an indoor sports complex.

The mosque at the center of the complex has two minarets, built on 879 square meters (9,461 square feet); if one includes the courtyard, the place of worship is large enough for approximately 3,000 Muslims to pray at the same time.

About the title “divine ground between us” mentioned at the opening ceremony scheduled for Saturday, he said the center’s opening will be a step towards a “divine metaphysical ground” among people of different ethnic and religious background.

“This center both with its voice and posture, with every stone and tile will call on humanity: the mindset that crafted this beauty cannot be prejudged to produce violence. This mindset only produces peace and beauty. That's the best message to give to Islamophobia," he said.

Gormez said that when he first visited the site of the complex in 2008 it was a muddy swamp with a small prefabricated mosque next to it.

"We were dreaming about a big complex on this site with a mosque, a civilizational center, research and culture centers in it," he said, adding he is thankful to Allah for seeing his dream realized.

He said that he spoke with Erdogan in 2008 about his dream of establishing the center in Maryland. Erdogan, who was back then the Turkish premier, pledged to support his plan.

"I am very happy to see that such a masterpiece has been completed which not only American Muslims but all Muslims across the globe can be proud of," he said.