There has been wrangling over the mosque for years. This began shortly after a symbolic first brick was laid by the then Justice Minister Piet Hein Donner. He called the project a “symbol of integration” – but this statement rapidly turned out to be untenable.

The mosque is intended to be one of the biggest in Europe. The style is Ottoman, with high minarets and a large central dome. Amsterdam mayor Job Cohen has repeatedly said he hopes the mosque can eventually be built after all.