Thousands of donations for a project worth several million euros: that was Mamadou Daffé’s bet. The imam of the brand new Mirail mosque has now been the first to believe in the construction of a religious building entirely financed by the faithful.

“Mamadou Daffé had a vision, and it was the dream of an entire community. It took more than thirty years and thousands of donations to be able to build this mosque,” ​​says Fayçal Benafia. The secretary general of the association in charge of the mosque specifies that this building is based solely on crowdfunding. Thanks to jackpots and donation campaigns, the inhabitants of Mirail finally have their mosque.

Solidarity pays

At the entrance of the building, some faithful come to pray all kinds of donations. Water bottle packs for some, dates for others. A sometimes minimal help, but which testifies to a real solidarity for the breaking of the fast. “On a need for donations. For construction, but also now for maintenance. It is mandatory. We don’t realize it, but it’s a lot of money. For example, we already have more than 1,000 euros in electricity bills, ”continues the secretary general of the mosque.

The association in charge of the building wishes to remain independent. To allow this freedom, the faithful can continue to make financial donations. Digital terminals are installed throughout the mosque. They collect spontaneous donations from the faithful. 1 €, 2 € or a hundred, all the money will be used for the maintenance of the premises.

Between energy consumption, insurance or supplies, the mosque claims to have “several thousand euros in expenses” monthly. Perhaps a necessary good for Fayçal Benafia who insists on the fact that the building is “not under any supervision of foreign countries, but belongs to all French people”.