The Story of Centrum de Middenweg – A Mosque Founded by Two Converts
Every mosque has its own story, but the story of Centrum de Middenweg in Rotterdam is truly unique. This Islamic centre was established with the vision of creating a welcoming place where everyone—regardless of their background or nationality—could learn about Islam and practise their faith in an open, supportive environment.
The project was founded by Jacob van der Blom and his wife, both Dutch converts to Islam. After embracing Islam, they visited different mosques across the Netherlands. While they found warm and committed Muslim communities, they also noticed that many mosques were closely connected to a particular culture or language. For people discovering Islam for the first time, this could sometimes make it difficult to feel fully included.
Inspired by their own experiences, they decided to create a different kind of mosque—one where Islamic identity would always come before cultural differences. Their goal was never to replace existing mosques in Rotterdam, but rather to complement them by offering an Islamic centre that would be open to every Muslim and anyone interested in learning about Islam.
In 2013, Centrum de Middenweg officially opened its doors. From the very beginning, the mosque adopted a modern and inclusive approach. Friday sermons, lectures and many educational programmes are delivered in Dutch, making Islamic teachings more accessible to converts, young Muslims and visitors. This welcoming approach quickly helped the mosque gain recognition well beyond Rotterdam.
Over the years, Centrum de Middenweg has become much more than a place of worship. Today, it serves as a vibrant Islamic centre where born Muslims, new converts and people interested in Islam come together for daily prayers, educational classes, lectures and community activities that strengthen brotherhood and sisterhood.
This vision continues to shape the mosque today. By focusing on hospitality, Islamic education and community building, Centrum de Middenweg has become one of the Netherlands' most respected Islamic centres, particularly for those taking their first steps in Islam. Its story demonstrates that a mosque can be more than a place of prayer—it can also be a home for learning, personal growth and a welcoming community for everyone.
A Mosque Dedicated to Supporting New Muslims
Since its opening, Centrum de Middenweg has been committed to a unique mission: supporting people who are discovering Islam and helping new Muslims become part of the wider Muslim community. This mission is deeply connected to the personal journey of its founders, who are themselves converts and understand the questions and challenges many new Muslims face.
Unlike many Islamic centres that are closely linked to a particular culture or ethnic community, Centrum de Middenweg takes a different approach. Its primary focus is to make Islam accessible and understandable to everyone. Friday sermons, lectures and many educational programmes are delivered in Dutch, allowing converts, young Muslims and visitors to better understand Islamic teachings and strengthen their knowledge.
The mosque regularly welcomes people who wish to learn more about Islam, ask questions or prepare for their Shahada (declaration of faith). Volunteers and teachers take time to provide personal guidance in a respectful, friendly and non-judgmental environment, helping each individual progress at their own pace.
Centrum de Middenweg also works closely with Convertsations, a Dutch organisation dedicated to supporting new Muslims. Together, they organise educational events, lectures and community gatherings where future converts can meet others who have already embraced Islam, share experiences and receive practical advice. After accepting Islam, new Muslims continue to receive guidance in learning the Qur'an, establishing daily prayers and understanding the foundations of their faith.
The support does not end with the Shahada. New Muslims are encouraged to take an active role in the life of the mosque by joining daily prayers, Ramadan programmes, educational classes and family activities. These opportunities help build lasting friendships and create a strong sense of belonging within the Muslim community.
Thanks to this welcoming philosophy, Centrum de Middenweg has become one of the best-known mosques in the Netherlands for converts and people exploring Islam. It demonstrates how an Islamic centre can successfully combine authentic Islamic knowledge, personal support and a vibrant community where everyone is welcomed and encouraged to grow in their faith.
A Vibrant Islamic Centre Serving the Entire Muslim Community
Beyond being a place of worship, Centrum de Middenweg has become a vibrant hub for Muslim community life in Rotterdam. Staying true to the vision of its founders, the mosque offers far more than the five daily prayers. It is a place where worship, Islamic knowledge and community spirit come together in a welcoming environment for Muslims of all backgrounds.
Throughout the week, the mosque welcomes worshippers for the five daily prayers, the Friday Jumu'ah prayer, and a wide range of religious activities. During the month of Ramadan, Centrum de Middenweg becomes especially active, hosting Taraweeh prayers, community Iftar meals, Islamic reminders and special lectures that bring together Muslims from across Rotterdam and beyond.
Islamic education is one of the centre's main priorities. Regular Qur'an classes, Arabic lessons, Islamic lectures and educational programmes are organised for both adults and children. Many of these activities are conducted in Dutch, making them especially accessible for converts, young Muslims and anyone wishing to deepen their understanding of Islam.
Families also play an important role in the life of the mosque. Children can participate in age-appropriate educational programmes designed to help them grow with strong Islamic values in a positive and supportive environment. Family-oriented activities further strengthen relationships within the community and encourage Muslims to build lasting connections with one another.
In addition, Centrum de Middenweg regularly hosts conferences, workshops and community events throughout the year. These gatherings provide opportunities for Muslims of different nationalities and backgrounds to meet, exchange experiences and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood. They also make it easier for newcomers and converts to become fully integrated into the local Muslim community.
Today, Centrum de Middenweg is much more than a mosque. It is a modern Islamic centre where people come together to worship Allah, seek authentic Islamic knowledge and build a united, welcoming and supportive Muslim community in Rotterdam.
An Expansion Project Supported by the Entire Community
After more than a decade of continuous growth, Centrum de Middenweg is continuing to expand in order to meet the needs of its steadily growing Muslim community. Each year, more people attend the Friday prayer, educational programmes, lectures and community events. The increasing number of worshippers, families and new Muslims reflects the important role the mosque now plays in Rotterdam and throughout the Netherlands.
To support this growth, the mosque has launched an ambitious expansion project. The aim is to create additional space for daily prayers, Islamic education, conferences and community activities. The project also includes new facilities for children, young people and families, while improving the mosque's ability to welcome and guide people who are discovering Islam or have recently embraced the faith.
This expansion is about much more than enlarging a building. It represents an investment in the future of the Muslim community. With larger and better-equipped facilities, Centrum de Middenweg will be able to offer even more Qur'an classes, educational programmes, social initiatives and community services while remaining true to its mission of providing an open and welcoming Islamic centre for everyone.
Like many mosques across Europe, Centrum de Middenweg relies primarily on the generosity of the Muslim community. The expansion project, educational programmes, children's activities and many other services are made possible through the donations of worshippers and supporters who believe in the mosque's mission.
🤲 Support Centrum de Middenweg
Dear brothers and sisters, this mosque continues to grow by the will of Allah and through the generosity of its community. If you would like to contribute to the expansion project, support Islamic education and help provide a welcoming place for Muslims and new converts, every donation—large or small—makes a meaningful difference.
May Allah reward every donor abundantly, accept their good deeds and make every contribution a lasting charity (Sadaqah Jariyah). Ameen.
👉 Support the mosque: https://cdmw.nl/doneren/
Practical Information for Visiting Centrum de Middenweg
If you are looking for a welcoming mosque in Rotterdam where worship, Islamic education and community life come together, Centrum de Middenweg is a place well worth visiting. Thanks to its commitment to supporting converts, families and anyone interested in learning about Islam, it has become one of the most recognised Islamic centres in the Netherlands.
The mosque is located in Rotterdam and is open for the five daily prayers, the Friday Jumu'ah prayer, Islamic classes, lectures and a wide range of community activities. Throughout the year, visitors can also take part in special programmes during Ramadan, educational events and family gatherings. The mosque regularly shares updates about prayer times, upcoming events and community initiatives through its official website and social media channels.
Practical Information
Information Details Name Centrum de Middenweg Location Rotterdam, Netherlands Founded 2013 Founded by Dutch converts to Islam Speciality A welcoming mosque supporting converts and the wider Muslim community Main Activities Daily prayers, Friday prayer, Qur'an classes, Islamic education, family programmes and community events Language Dutch Official Website https://cdmw.nl/ Donations https://cdmw.nl/doneren/ Today, Centrum de Middenweg represents a modern and inclusive approach to Islamic community life. It combines authentic Islamic teachings with a welcoming atmosphere where Muslims from diverse backgrounds can worship, learn and build meaningful relationships. Whether you are a lifelong Muslim, a new convert or simply interested in learning more about Islam, the mosque offers an environment where everyone is treated with respect and made to feel at home.
With its continued growth and ongoing expansion project, Centrum de Middenweg is strengthening its position as one of the Netherlands' leading Islamic centres—a place dedicated to worship, education, community service and supporting future generations of Muslims.
