A company in Japan creates a mobile mosque to welcome Muslim to 2020 Olympics.
Yasuharu inoue, who is the CEO of Yasu project, said in interview that the possibility there might not be enough mosques for Muslims visitors in 2020 is alarming for a country that considers itself part of the international community. An estimated of 100,000 to 200,000 Muslims currently lives in Japan. Mr Inoue also asserted that his company mobile mosques could travel to different Olympic venues to provide Muslims with a place of worship during the tournament.
According to him, he said as an open and hospitable country, they want to share of ‘omotenashi’ which means (Japanese hospitality) with Muslim people. This first mobile mosque unveiled outside Toyota stadium at J-League soccer venue in Toyota city, which is also the headquarters of the same name. The back of the modified 25-ton truck flipped out tom reveal an entrance and technology able to double the width of the truck.
The 48-squre-metre (515-square-foot) room can accommodate 50 people. Muslim guests prayed inside the mosque, which includes outdoor taps and a washing area for pre-worship cleansing.
Indonesia students who were victims of the 2004 Indian ocean tsunami also participated in opening of the mosque. One of the Japanese guest that was present while unveiling, Tatsuya Sakaguchi expressed hope that the mobile mosque would help open people’s mind worldwide.
Mosque mobile inside
Looking in from the outside of the people in the mosque, they looked very happy, “said Sakaguchi, the representative director of an Osaka retail company. Mr Inoue said the inspiration for the project came to him on a trip to Qatar four years ago.
Initially, the project organizers plan to target international sporting events in Japan and overseas. Mr inoue said he hopes the project will do more than fill a gap in religious infrastructure. “ Going forward, he said, I would be so happy if people from Indonesia, Malaysia, Africa, the Middle East and, for example, refugees who are coming to Syria are able to use the mosque as a tool to promote world peace.
