First Islamic funeral building in the Netherlands

The first Islamic funeral building in the Netherlands is situated in the cemetery De Nieuwe Ooster in Amsterdam Oost. The new building meets the demand among the Muslim community, in Amsterdam and throughout the country, for a funeral facility for Islamic burial rituals. The desire for new facilities stems in part from the growing realization among members of the two main immigrant groups, Turkish and Moroccan, that their presence in the Netherlands is permanent rather than temporary.

The departure points for the design were the existing cemetery park, which has space for 1,400 graves, and the orientation to Mecca. This orientation gives the building a closed character, which is necessary in order to ensure the desired intimacy. On the side of the square, the front elevation folds inwards, giving rise to a gesture that bids visitors to enter the building. At the rear, large windows and doors provide a view of the cemetery garden. The transitions between inside and outside and between the interior and the park are seamless.

The pavilion is slightly raised above ground level, giving it a light appearance. The exterior elevations are of Turkish travertine and have white precast concrete cornices and plinths. Next to the main entrance is a ceramic wall relief, which can be viewed from a distance and close up. The infinite continuous pattern of the relief, which is common in Islamic ornamentation, alludes to the soul’s infinity, because Islam believes in the resurrection of mankind on the Day of Judgement. (ARCAM/MB)