King praises Europe's first eco mosque during Cambridge visit

Dhaka: King Charles has praised the design and environmental features of Cambridge Central Mosque during a visit to what is regarded as Europe's first eco mosque.

The monarch toured the mosque on July 20, where he learned about its sustainability initiatives, including solar panels, energy-efficient heat pumps, rainwater harvesting, and a water recycling system that reuses wastewater from sinks. The building also relies on large skylights for natural lighting throughout the year.

After removing his shoes before entering the prayer hall, the King met worshippers, community leaders, and schoolchildren. He was presented with a book about the 1,000-capacity mosque and joked with students, saying he hoped he had not "ruined the holidays too much by dragging you in here."

Addressing attendees, King Charles praised the mosque's architecture and its contribution to the wider community.

"I'm so impressed by the quality of the design, of all the care and attention which has been lavished on it," he said. "It makes a huge contribution not only to the Muslim community, but to Cambridge itself."

He also commended the mosque's efforts to promote interfaith cooperation, expressing hope that it would continue to serve as "a remarkable example of integrated faith activity."

During the visit, the King unveiled a plaque commemorating the 75th anniversary of Cambridge being granted city status by his grandfather, King George VI.

Zeynep Coskun, a trustee of Cambridge Central Mosque, described the visit as an honor, saying the King took time to speak with people and learn about their roles within the mosque.