The Noor guides

Clear, verified reference pages to move forward at each stage of a mosque project. We start with the overview, then dig into the specific topics. Further guides will come to complete this collection.

The complete guide

Building a mosque in France

The complete guide, from founding the association to the life of the mosque, in six clear steps.

Topic guides

Legal

Association under the 1901 law or the 1905 law?

A comparison of the two statuses for carrying a mosque project: advantages, obligations, and how to choose.

Legal

Drafting the statutes of a religious association

Exclusive purpose, seven members, deliberative body, anti-takeover clause: what the statutes must set out.

Safety

Place of worship: the type V public-access building rating

Capacity thresholds, how the capacity is worked out, fire safety, accessibility and the safety commission.

Land

Finding land for a mosque

Where to look, how to gauge a fair price with public data, and the checklist to run before committing.

Land

Turning premises into a place of worship

The change of use, the « places of worship » sub-category, prior declaration or building permit.

Land

Do you need an architect to build a mosque?

For an association, an architect is required whatever the floor area. The 150 m² threshold does not apply.

Town hall

How a town hall can help a mosque

No subsidy for worship itself, but a long lease, a loan guarantee, land made available.

Management

Organising donations for the long term

The collection, online giving, regular direct debits, transparency and the reporting duties tied to fundraising.

Management

The tax receipt for donations

The tax reduction, articles 200 and 238 bis of the tax code, who may issue receipts and how to make it watertight.

Management

Organising a fundraising circuit

The round of mosques to fund a project: the host mosque's agreement, the collection and its legal frame, and the ethics of the approach.

Management

Recruiting an imam: status and legal frame

Employment by the association, employment contract, the end of seconded imams, conditions for a foreign imam.

Management

Displaying prayer times

Screen, app, website: the ways to broadcast the times, how they differ, and how to choose.

Management

Running a mosque day to day

Sharing out the roles, tracking donations, maintaining the building, handling parking and neighbours, ensuring security.

Management

Organising Ramadan in a mosque

Crowds, fast-breaking meals, evening prayers, security, fundraising and Eid: the points to prepare ahead of time.

Safety

Securing a mosque: state support

The scheme for securing places of worship funds up to 80 % of the work: eligibility, procedures and choosing providers.

Management

Donation and donor-management software

OHME, HelloAsso, AssoConnect: managing donors, automating tax receipts and connecting tools through an API.

Management

Direct debit and recurring donations

Building a base of regular giving that covers the fixed costs, with a direct debit that is independent of your bank.

Management

Donation kiosks and card terminals

Collecting by card on site: dedicated kiosks or mobile terminals, the real costs and the fee taken from donations.

Siting your project

If you would rather start from your concrete situation, the assessment analyses your town and your project, then points you toward the right markers.

Run the siting assessment ←