COJEP International and EMISCO (European Muslim Initiative for Social Cohesion) with the support of Council of Europe, ISESCO and Organisation of Islamic Conference have launching a contest to select the most beautiful existing Minaret in Europe through a photographic competition.

Mosques, with or without their minarets have been a permanent addition in the aesthetics of our urban landscapes. They are a reflection of the presence of the Muslim communities in our cities and in the company of other faiths and beliefs, convey a message of common living, peace and respect. It is however unfortunate, that lately some populist politicians and a section of media has made minarets an issue to curtail fundamental rights.

This has resulted in attacks on ethnic and religious minorities and spreading of hate crimes against Muslim people in Europe. It is therefore important that the universal peaceful presence of Islam is visible and its followers are able to practice their religion openly as is the case with other religions. This photo contest is also intended to remove the misplaced fears and prejudices in European societies that Islam and Muslims undermine the Western values and cultures.

To participate, the mosques administrators in Europe must send photographs, highlighting their minaret as well as details on the specifications (height from the ground, width, date of construction, construction period, name of architect, etc.) before 15th April 2010.

The collected photos will first be reviewed to determine if they meet the selection criteria. The Jury which will be composed of personalities from different faiths and ethnicities and which will include people with different backgrounds will have the task of determining at a special meeting in Strasbourg on 19th April 2010.

The winners will be presented at a press conference to be held at the European Parliament on 20th April 2010. An exhibition of the most beautiful pictures of minarets and mosques will be held at the Council of Europe later this year.

A photo of the Minaret, which has received the first prize, will be published on the website of the European Heritage Days during its major event which will be held in Istanbul in autumn 2010.

The first five winners will receive an award at a ceremony to be held in the city where the "most beautiful minaret" was built with the presence of city officials, leaders of the mosque and members of the jury. An album containing photographs will be published at the end of the contest.

Please send your photos before the 15th April 2010 by email to;

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Cojep International – 18 rue du Chemin de Fer F-67200 STRASBOURG
Tél : +333 88 84 49 30 – Fax : +333 88 34 75 94
www.cojep.com

Composition of the Jury

M. Murat ERDOGAN - Hacettepe University / The Project Advisor - Turkey
M. Martin ROSE - Director Our Shared Europe / Director of British Council Canada
Mr. Helmut LUTZ (European Foundation for Culture)
Rabbi Raphael GUEDJ (Foundation Roots and Source - Geneva)
Reverand James BARNETT (Anglican Church)
Representative DG Education, Culture and Heritage, Youth and Sport - Council of Europe
M. Sevin KAYI - Architect / France
M. Bashy QURAISHY - IMCOSE
M. Veysel FILIZ - Conference of INGOs of the Council of Europe
M. Tuncay ÇAKMAK - COJEP International
Imam Dr Abduljalil SAJID (Chairman of the Muslim Council for Religious and Racial Harmony - UK)
Mrs. Shada ISLAM – Journalist in Belgium
M. Eckhard Ahmed KRAUSEN – Photographer in Denmark
Mrs. Carla MAURER – Protestant theologian - Switzerland
M.Tarafa BAGHAJATI – Chair of Austrian Muslim Initiative
M. Gabriel NISSIM - World Catholic Association for Communication
M. Yahya PALLAVICINI - Vice-Chair of COREIS - Italy
M. Abdelhaq GUIDERDONI - Director of the Astronomical Observatory of Lyon
M. Amir PASIC – IRCICA Turkey
M. Christoph SPRENG – Association Initiatives of Change – Switzerland
M. Tankut Taskin SOYKAN – ODIHR - Poland