President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has issued a written message regarding the visit of King Charles III of the United Kingdom to the Cambridge Central Mosque and Complex, widely recognised as Europe’s first eco-friendly mosque.
Recalling that the Cambridge Central Mosque and Complex was opened for worship approximately seven years ago, President Erdoğan said he was greatly pleased that the mosque had hosted such a meaningful visit with the presence of King Charles.
“We see that our mosque, which has symbolised solidarity against discrimination and respect in the face of hatred since the laying of its first brick, has successfully fulfilled this mission,” President Erdoğan said.
Drawing attention to King Charles III’s commitment to peaceful coexistence among people of different cultures, backgrounds, and faiths, President Erdoğan underlined that the King’s longstanding efforts in this regard are well known.
President Erdoğan also noted that, at a time when Islamophobia and cultural racism are escalating globally, he considers King Charles’ visit to be of great significance.
Conveying his greetings to the friendly people of the United Kingdom through King Charles III, President Erdoğan stated that he would be delighted to welcome His Majesty to Türkiye.
President Erdoğan also extended his greetings to the Muslim community living in the United Kingdom, particularly Turkish citizens.
Europe’s first eco-friendly mosque
Built in the city of Cambridge and inaugurated in 2019 with the participation of President Erdoğan, the Cambridge Central Mosque is recognised as Europe’s first eco-friendly mosque.
The mosque incorporates photovoltaic panels, air-source heat pumps, a sedum roof, natural ventilation systems, and timber sourced from sustainably managed forests.
Constructed predominantly from natural materials such as timber and marble, the mosque is also notable for its net-zero carbon footprint.
Rainwater is collected for irrigation and cleaning purposes, while approximately 40 per cent of the mosque’s electricity is generated from solar energy.
A rooftop system that converts ambient air into heat provides hot water for storage tanks and powers the underfloor heating system.
Sensors continuously monitor indoor oxygen levels and temperature, automatically extracting warm air through upper vents and circulating fresh air whenever oxygen levels decrease or temperatures rise.
As part of its environmentally sustainable design, dome-shaped skylights have been integrated into the roof to maximise natural daylight and allow sunlight to illuminate the prayer hall directly.
The mosque’s architecture draws inspiration from the fan vaults of the nearby King’s College Chapel and the distinctive Victorian cross-pattern brickwork commonly found in Cambridge’s Romsey district.
Beyond serving as a place of worship, the Cambridge Central Mosque regularly delivers food parcels to families experiencing financial hardship in the city and organises public health awareness initiatives.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the mosque served as a local vaccination centre and has continued to host social responsibility initiatives, including youth-led voluntary litter-picking campaigns.
The mosque also maintains close ties with the Cambridge Mosques Council, the Cambridge Muslim College, and other faith communities across South Cambridgeshire.