Lisbon City Council has ordered the closure of “an illegal mosque” in Rua Maria Andrade, in Arroios, due to the “serious danger” it poses to people’s safety. According to Observador online, the mosque, which operates on a ground floor and in a basement – and is able to take up to 1,000 worshippers at one time – “represents a serious safety hazard for people and property”, especially on days when the large influx of worshippers causes “constraints on the public highway”. It is not licensed as a place of religious worship and has been the subject of many local complaints for some time. The city council’s order obliges the owners of the premises to cease operations within five working days. If they do not, they face criminal prosecution for disobedience punishable by up to one year in prison or a fine of up to 120 days, which will be reported to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Illegal mosque to close due to its becoming a “serious safety hazard”
