Egyptian Center of Islamic Culture, Montevideo

Egyptian Center of Islamic Culture
Centro Egipcio de la Cultura Islámica
Religion
AffiliationSunni Islam
Ecclesiastical or organizational statusMosque
StatusActive
Location
LocationMontevideo
CountryUruguay
Location of the mosque in Uruguay
Interactive map of Egyptian Center of Islamic Culture
AdministrationEgyptian Embassy in Montevideo
Coordinates34°54′27″S 56°09′25″W / 34.907622884250614°S 56.1569265333657°W / -34.907622884250614; -56.1569265333657
Architecture
TypeMosque
(adapted building)
Established1982
Interior area170 m (560 ft)
Website
centroislamicouruguay.com.uy

The Egyptian Center of Islamic Culture (Spanish: Centro Egipcio de la Cultura Islámica), also known as the Mosque of Montevideo, is a mosque and cultural center located at Baltasar Vargas 1178 in Montevideo, Uruguay.[1][2]

The mosque has been in operation since 1982, housed in a former cemetery plot adapted into a religious and cultural institution. The building covers an area of approximately 170 square metres (1,800 sq ft).[1]

As of 2022, the center is overseen by Sheik Samir Selim and operates under the auspices of the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Uruguay.[3] It hosts daily prayers, weekly Jummah services, Arabic language instruction across multiple levels, Qur’an teaching sessions, and cultural lectures. The center is also available for visits and educational outreach.[4]

The center plays a central role in Uruguay’s Muslim life, welcoming both Muslims and non-Muslims. It offers an inclusive environment where conversions to Islam occur—on average, one individual per two weeks embraces the faith at this location.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Mosque of Montevideo". Mosqpedia. Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue. Retrieved August 17, 2025.
  2. ^ "Centro Egipcio de la Cultura Islámica". Mapeo de la Sociedad Civil (in Spanish). Uruguay. Retrieved August 17, 2025.
  3. ^ "Interview to Amed Awad Abdallah, religious principal of the Egyptian Center for Islamic Culture" (in Spanish). CX 14 El Espectador. Archived from the original on October 4, 2008.
  4. ^ "El Centro Cultural Islámico Egipcio en Uruguay: encuentro con el Sheik Samir Selim". Estudios Árabes e Islámicos (in Spanish). Retrieved August 17, 2025.
  5. ^ "Los musulmanes de Uruguay". Rahyafteha (in Spanish). December 8, 2023. Retrieved August 17, 2025.
  • Martín Silva Rey (March 11, 2017). Islam in Uruguay. Retrieved September 9, 2025 – via YouTube.