From Saint-Charles Church to Al-Kawthar Mosque
This sacred site began as Blida’s Great Mosque, built around 1533 by Sheikh Sidi Ahmed el Kebir. During French colonial rule, it was demolished and replaced by the Saint-Charles Church, which stood here for over a century.
After independence in 1962, residents longed to restore their spiritual roots. Therefore, in 1974–75, authorities and the religious administration approved the demolition of the church. Finally, the site was reborn. In 1981, Al-Kawthar Mosque opened on the same spot. It marked both revival and spiritual belonging for Blida .
Location and Layout
The mosque stands at Bin Merah Square, near Place du 1er Novembre (Plasat Tout) in central Blida. It spreads across nearly 12,000 m², providing a spacious landmark in the heart of the city.
Interior & Facilities
Inside, the upper-floor prayer hall holds up to 8,000 worshippers across about 4,000 m² and rests on 25 double columns. A majestic central dome towers above, flanked by four 60 m octagonal minarets.
The ground floor has a Quranic school, a lecture hall (550 seats), ablution facilities, and indoor and outdoor libraries. Together, these spaces blend education, worship, and community.
Artistry and Devotion
The mihrab features delicate gypsum carvings, while a marble minbar stands nearby with simple elegance
Across the walls, the Qur’an is beautifully inscribed from Surah al-Fātiḥah to Surah an-Nās, in tile and marble. This art reflects deep faith and devotion .