Algiers, July 15, IRNA -- Algerian Minister of Religious Affairs and Endowments, Bouabdellah Ghlamallah here on Saturday called for the participation of Iranian companies in the construction of the Algiers Grand Mosque.
In a meeting with Iran's Ambassador to Algeria, Hossein Abdi Abyaneh, he stressed that the mosque will be the largest in Africa and the third biggest in the world.
The mosque, to be constructed at the cost of $3.4 billion, will accommodate some 120,000 prayers.
The Algerian minister further voiced his country's readiness to bolster all-out ties with the Islamic Republic.
For his part, the Iranian envoy announced the readiness of Iranian companies for active participation in the construction operation of the Algiers Grand Mosque.
He further voiced Iran's readiness to admit Algerian students at its faculty of "proximity of religions" adding that teachings and principles of the Sunni sect are taught by Sunni ulema at this center.
The Iranian ambassador further invited the Algerian minister to visit Iran, particularly the holy city of Mashhad in the near future to become familiar with the Islamic architecture. The invitation was warmly accepted by Ghlamallah.
There are 15,000 mosques throughout Algeria which accommodate over 14 million prayers.