Although the Ljubljana City Council made an important step towards making the dream of Muslims in Slovenia a reality, the issue has been accompanied by shows of intolerance throughout. Amidst strong protests from the opposition, the city council pushed through changes to the spatial planning act that allow the erection of a mosque on the southern outskirts of the capital city. However, the decision is by no means a guarantee that the affair is close to being resolved and a mosque about to be built. Over twenty sites for a mosque have been crossed out for one reason or another in the three decades that the Muslim community has been asking for a mosque. Despite reaching the most advanced stage so far, trouble is only a corner away this time as well. Before the vote, the head of the borough where the mosque is to stand made it clear that her community did not want the mosque to stand there. One of the things that "upset" the people of her area was the mosque's minaret. In line with act, the minaret could be 27 metres high.

An even bigger obstacle than local disgruntlement will be a potential referendum initiative on the matter. Although the referendum proposal of the opposition New Slovenia (NSi) failed to get the necessary support in the city council, the opposition in Ljubljana has already gone about collecting signatures in support of a vote. Announcements to this effect provoked a response by the highest Muslim authority in the country, Mufti Osman Djogič, who has said that such a referendum would be unconstitutional. Djogič asked the political parties that are looking to force a referendum to reconsider. In case that Ljubljana does go to the polls, he has called on the Slovenian people not to take part.

This is not the first time that there has been a public clash of views between those in favour of the mosque's construction and those against. A year ago, Ljubljana Archbishop and Slovenian Metropolitan Franc Rode made the headlines when he claimed that a mosque was a political centre, whereas a church was a spiritual one. Djogič countered this claim, saying that it was nothing more than stereotypical and prejudiced slander directed against Slovenian Muslims. Moreover, Djogič perceived it to be Rode's way of saying he opposed the construction of an Islamic centre, which is why he wondered whether this was the official position of the Roman Catholic Church.

According to the figures from the last census, Slovenia is home to 47,000 Muslims. Accounting for 2.4 percent of the Slovenian population, Muslims are the second-largest religious community in this mostly Roman Catholic country. Regardless of their numbers, the Muslim community in Slovenia is still one of few in Europe not to have a mosque. This means that important holidays, such as the recent Eid al-Fitr celebrations, have to be celebrated in other venues, such as Tivoli Hall, which is more suited to hosting basketball teams from around Europe.

The amended spatial planning act for the proposed site sets down that the Islamic religious and cultural centre - stretching over 4,000 sq. metres - is to include a prayer room, classrooms for religious education, a library, social area, teahouse and other facilities. The plot of land where it will be erected is about two hectares in area. The mosque will also be allowed - the final building will be the subject of a public tender - to feature a dome measuring 18 metres in height, as well as the afore-mentioned minaret.