After years of delays and objections a 1,000 square metre mosque is to replace the site of the old navel base in Votanikos, Athens.

A parliamentary committee approved the legislation that will allow its construction to move forward on Wednesday.

The mosque, which once completed will be the official place of worship for Muslims in Athens, is designed accommodate 350 worshipers over two levels, however, it will not have a minaret.

Members of the Parliament from SYRIZA, ANEL as well as Golden Dawn voted down the motion, which was approved by getting enough votes from PASOK and independent MPs.

The mosque has been an issue causing stirs between previous Greek Governments, the European Union, the Human Rights Commission and Amnesty International, resulting in Greece being harshly criticised.

A Muslim cemetery is also one of the commitments Greece’s government has to fulfill.