Authorities in the Russian republic of Chechnya on Friday opened what they said was Europe's largest mosque, at a grand ceremony attended by local and foreign officials.
The mosque, decorated with marble, can hold more than 30,000 worshipers and has been described by Chechen authorities as the "largest and most beautiful" mosque in Europe.
The mosque took seven years to build.
Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, said the mosque in Shali, a town of 54,000 people on the outskirts of the capital Grozny, was "unique" in its design and size.
The authorities planted the gardens of the mosque with flowers and scattered fountains. Authorities said the gardens could accommodate another 70,000 worshipers.