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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Dave Burke

Incredible image shows Muslims using Ikea car park to pray safely while social distancing

Incredible pictures show how an Ikea car park was used to allow hundreds of Muslims to celebrate Eid.

The uplifting images were taken at the weekend - when a mosque in the German city of Wetzlar, near Frankfurt, approached the furniture giant for help.

Unable to safely allow worshippers to congregate on its premises, mosque leaders devised a novel solution.

Kadir Terzi told the BBC he had approached Ikea, but wasn't optimistic about being allowed to use the car park.

He said: "But the store manager didn't hesitate for a second and said 'yes, you can pray'.

"I was surprised and happy at the same time."

And he added: "The closing prayer with all Muslims in Wetzlar was like a reward for us."

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The Ikea store has been praised (file image) (Getty Images)

The mosque, IGMG Wetzlar FATIH CAMII, posted on Twitter : "We would like to thank the Wetzlar police, the Wetzlar public order office, Ikea Wetzlar management, brothers, and all who contributed to making this extraordinary holiday prayer possible."

Mr Terzi said the gesture was particularly important as many had felt isolated during Ramadan because of coronavirus restrictions.

And Ikea has been widely praised for helping allow communal prayers to happen - as long as worshippers wore face masks.

One Twitter user responded: "A true sign of hope in these difficult times."

And Canadian journalist Carly Agro wrote: "Wow. This is the love and kindness the world needs now. Eid Mubarak to all celebrating!"

There have been 181,000 confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany, with 8,432 deaths linked to the killer virus.

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