Foz do Iguaçu - The City

Foz do Iguaçu is a city characterised by a fascinating cultural diversity.  The city has around 300 000 inhabitants, made up of 72 ethnic groups.  The largest of these ethic groups originate from China, Paraguay, Argentina and Lebanon.

The city occupies an area of 165.50 km2 and the predominant industry is tourism due to proximity to the world class attraction, the Iguaçu Falls.

There are numerous restaurants, bars and shops all of which reflect the interesting cultural heritage of the area. 

The architecture of the city also reflects the influence of the many ethnic groups which live in Foz do Iguaçu.

The Omar Ibn Al-Khatab Mosque

In 1981 the Islamic community in the Foz do Iguaçu began the construction of a mosque.  Completed two years later, the mosque is a magnificent temple with an interior of incredible beauty.

Inspired by the Al Akssa Mosque in Jerusalem the mosque has two towers, each 15 meters tall which originally housed a luminous sign and provided an elevated point from which the calls to prayer rang out five times a day.

Since 1998 the mosque has opened its doors to the public.  Tours can be arranged by prior appointment and guides will help to decipher the verses of the Koran painted on the walls and to understand this religion.