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It was conceived as a project that would foster dialogue between Muslims and non-Muslims and act as a bridge between Islam and Christianity. But the completion of a controversial multimillion euro mosque and culture complex is under threat after a prolonged row between its German architect and its Turkish developers.
The Cologne Central Mosque, which was due for completion this summer, has been dogged by controversy since its inception in 2006. But it is now at the centre of a row over everything from soaring building costs and the colour of its facade to allegations that Christian symbols have been secretly hidden in its construction.
Architect Paul Böhm and Ditib, a branch of the Turkish government's religious affairs authority, have tentatively agreed to continue with the project but only after the intervention of a retired Cologne mayor. Fritz Schramma said the parties, whom he unambiguously referred to as "combatants", had agreed to complete the project to create a "transparent, open mosque", but only after much intense dialogue. He said he hoped the mosque would "soon be filled with life".