Its story spans three decades. After the communist-era ban on religion, Tirana’s Muslims long lacked a large central mosque; the historic Et’hem Bey Mosque could hold only a small congregation, so on major holidays worshippers prayed in the streets and squares. A foundation stone was laid near Namazgah Square in 1992, but construction only began in 2015, with funding from Turkey’s Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet). Its name comes from the Ottoman Turkish namazgâh, a place of prayer. The mosque was inaugurated on 10 October 2024 by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Prime Minister Edi Rama.
Designed in the classical Ottoman style, the mosque is crowned by a large central dome and four 50-metre minarets. Around 8,000 people can pray inside, with room for about 2,000 more outdoors, and the building also houses a cultural centre. As at any working mosque, visit outside prayer times, dress modestly and remove your shoes.
Its scale and setting make it one of the most talked-about new buildings in Tirana.
