redunzl
Master Gamer
Reged: 08/27/05
Posts: 3074
Loc: Haarlem, Netherlands
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Nurd Kamal mosque
The Nurd Kamal mosque stands exposed on the edge of modern Norilsk, where temperatures drop 50 C below zero.
A city built on one of the world's richest metals deposits, Norilsk's first smelter was built by Gulag prisoners in the 1930s and today three plants send smoke thick with sulphur into the air.
There are over 20 million Muslims in Russia, approximately 14 per cent of the country's 140 million population. The Central Asians and Dagestanis are likely to be Sunni, while those from Azerbaijan are most likely to be Shia. There is no antagonism between the sects in Norilsk and many Soviet Muslims are not among the strictest practitioners of Islam.
The mosque, opened in 1998, was built by Mukhtad Bekmeyev, an ethnic Tatar and Norilsk native now residing in the Black Sea city of Sochi, nearly 4,000 kilometres (2,500 miles) away.
Edited by redunzl (10/24/08 02:22 PM)
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CuriousJM
Cartographer
Reged: 09/29/06
Posts: 2649
Loc: Lucknow
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Let me add some additional information on the subject.
As per Wiki-Religion-Mosque and the Official Web Page of Alnor Senter, Tromsų, Norway, the Alnor Mosque is the most northern mosque in the World.
It may however be noted that the mosque in Tromsų is not a custom built mosque but some house which is used as a mosque.
Tychee has been very kind to check and confirm the same. (Ref.)
In other words, this mosque here in Norilsk is the most northern custom built mosque.
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Google Earthritis is incurable! 
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Diane9247
Humanitarian
Reged: 01/15/07
Posts: 1921
Loc: Californian in Oregon
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Wow, that's truly isolated! Thanks for finding this, redunzl, very interesting!
Diane 
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Edited by diane9247 (08/28/08 10:21 PM)
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geveN
Cartographer
Reged: 03/08/07
Posts: 279
Loc: New Zealand
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Hi redunzl,
Amazing!!!
Is modern Norilsk within the Arctic Circle; most likely just south of this geographical feature.
50 degrees below zero...........I wonder what the inhabitants use for heating their homes; I notice in the photos the lack of any forest cover nearby, just chimneys belching sulphuric smoke.
I notice you have used the term "soviet" muslims, any reason?? The Soviet Union is gone, long live Mother Russia!!!
geveN
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geveN
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Tychee
Master Gamer
Reged: 01/13/07
Posts: 1227
Loc: Tromso, X
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Quote:
Is modern Norilsk within the Arctic Circle; most likely just south of this geographical feature.
Norilsk is situated well inside the Arctic Circle. As am I... 
(the link will open in GE)
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Tychee
Master Gamer
Reged: 01/13/07
Posts: 1227
Loc: Tromso, X
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The Arctic city of Tromsų, Norway, has an estimated Muslim population of 700 to 800 individuals. There are two mosques in the city, Al Masjid al-Rahma and Alnor Senter, of where, to my standing knowledge, the former is the oldest one (and if so, it's previously the world's most northern mosque). Neither of the mosques have a purpose-built building.
Al Masjid al-Rahma
Located in an old, wooden building, probably used for housing in the 19th century.
Alnor Senter Homepage in English
Reportedly the world's most northern mosque. Located in a modern building complex with both residential floors and other office space, as of today occupied by NGOs.
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Edited by Tychee (09/13/08 01:37 PM)
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