The ceremony, which was held on Saturday 2 November, was attended by representatives of the Islamic community of Lisbon, Tapada das Mercês, Odivelas and Damaia, and began with a prayer.

“The inauguration was a symbolic act for the community and for everyone who contributed”, the vice-president of the Sintra Islamic Association, Sori Djalo, told Lusa, highlighting the importance of the presence of the councillor for Solidarity and Social Innovation of the Chamber of Sintra, Eduardo Quinta Nova, and the presidents of the parish councils of Cacém and São Marcos, Agualva and Mira Sintra, Paulo Barroso Abrego and Carlos Casimiro, respectively.

According to the head of the Sintra Islamic Association, created on November 24, 2006, the ceremony was a way of “honouring, respecting and showing those who supported” the project where the donated money went.

“We started raising [money] from the [first] year of the pandemic. The rent here is not very cheap”, acknowledged Sori Djalo.

"The space was very old, but today it has a different appearance and, thanks to Allah, it has a different presentation. The faithful can come and see the space and perform their daily prayer", said Sori Djalo, considering that the space, "where you feel some peace when you enter” was “fantastic for welcoming people”.

As for a new space, built from scratch, Sori Djalo explained that the city hall is helping the Sintra Islamic Association to find land, but recalled that the real estate world is “a little complicated”.

The inauguration of the new worship space ended with a lunch served to all Muslims and guests present, men, women and children.