Algeria Inaugurates World's Third-Largest Mosque, Marked by Controversy and Delays

The Grand Mosque of Algiers, now the largest in Africa and third globally, opens after years of political upheaval and amid criticism over its cost and purpose.

Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune officially inaugurated the Grand Mosque of Algiers, featuring the world's tallest minaret and capable of accommodating 120,000 worshippers.
The mosque, costing close to $900m and constructed by a Chinese firm, faced years of delays and cost overruns, sparking criticism.
Critics argue the mosque, named after ousted President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, was a vanity project amid concerns over its location in a seismically risky area.
The mosque's opening ahead of Ramadan allows it to host public prayers and events, despite being ceremonially open to tourists and state visitors for about five years.
Allegations of corruption and misuse of funds have marred the project, initially intended as a legacy by Bouteflika, who was forced to resign in 2019 after protests.