A Muslim’s Guide to Prayer Facilities in Exotic Barcelona

Spain is a fun and vibrant destination that has become one of the top destinations for tourists, in the world. Home to exotic islands, high mountains and gushing rivers, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, historical monuments, friendly people and world-renowned food, the county has something for everyone. Some of its popular cities and towns among tourists include; Madrid, Valencia, Seville, Cordoba, Granada and Barcelona. Spain has a population of over 2 million Muslims and therefore most of its cities and towns have a sizeable Muslim community that offers Halal-facilities to visiting Muslims. Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain and the capital city of the autonomous community of Catalonia. It is a large cosmopolitan and ethnically diverse city that is home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites and known for hosting the Summer Olympics in 1992. It is a hub for tourism, economics, education, entertainment, media, and fashion. It is a popular destination among holiday-makers due to its Mediterranean climate, historic monuments and buildings, famous football club, parks and numerous sandy beaches. Some of Barcelona’s main sights include; the Gothic Quarter, Park Güell, L'Aquarium de Barcelona, La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona Zoo, Casa Milà and a number of other churches, museums and historical buildings. Muslim immigrants from all over the world, mainly Arab countries, brought with them a unique culture that can be seen all over the city. Since then, the Muslim population in Barcelona has only been growing, as is the number of Muslim tourists that visit the city each year. One of the main things a lot of Muslims visiting the city worry about is if Barcelona offers prayer facilities. The answer is; absolutely! The city is said to have nearly a dozen mosques and over 30 official Islamic centres. A prominent Islamic Centre in Barcelona is the Catalan Islamic Cultural Centre, which is a three-storey building, located close to Les Glories shopping centre. The Centre not only has a mosque but it also consists of a cultural centre and classrooms, where adults and kids are thought to understand and recite the Quran, as well as the right way to perform prayers. Another well-known one is the Tarek Ibn Ziyad Mosque, which is said to be the largest in the city. This mosque is located on Carrer de San Rafael 10. Muslims from all over the world gather at Masjid Tarek Ibn Ziyad, occupying all of its 6 floors, especially during Ramadan and for Eid prayers. The Islamic Centre of Barcelona, Mosque Abi Ayoub Elansari, Mosque Madni and Mosque Hanza are other Mosques located in the city. There are also numerous other mosques found in small, less prominent areas like garages and houses, so if needed, Muslims can always make inquiries at their hotel help desk or at Halal restaurants and other Muslim-friendly locations. When traveling outside of town to visit attractions; areas where there are no mosques, Muslim tourists are advised to offer their prayers in the hotel room if possible. In Barcelona, the Muslim population come from several backgrounds; Lebanese, Moroccan, Afghani, Bangladeshi and Pakistani, being the main ones. The Halal food available in the city is therefore authentic and Muslim-friendly, and the meals are inspired by countries all over the world. A trip to the city is obviously worth a visit. Great food, must-see attractions, good weather and a whole load more, what more could one ask for!