Isavia closes coffee shed dubbed “Northernmost mosque in the world”
Muslims had been using the coffee shed to pray since 2023. Photo/Sent to mbl.is
Isavia, the company that operates Keflavík International Airport, has closed a small coffee shed used by taxi drivers after it came under scrutiny for poor maintenance. The decision follows recent media attention in which the shed was referred to by some as “the northernmost mosque in the world.”
Guðjón Helgason, spokesperson for Isavia, confirmed in an interview with mbl.is that the closure took effect on Tuesday after an inspection revealed substandard conditions.
“The recent discussion about the shed prompted us to assess its condition. The inspection found that the facilities did not meet the necessary standards for this type of structure. The toilets were in poor condition, and overall maintenance was lacking,” said Helgason.
Concerns over sanitation and usage
According to previous reporting by mbl.is , taxi drivers had long voiced dissatisfaction with the condition of the facilities, particularly after the shed became primarily used by foreign taxi drivers. Several drivers complained that the restroom floors were frequently wet, allegedly because some individuals had used the sinks to wash their feet before prayer.
Helgason emphasized that Isavia takes full responsibility for the lack of upkeep: “We, as the owner, fully acknowledge the inadequate maintenance.”
He added that taxi drivers are welcome to use the toilet facilities inside the airport terminal, just like other service providers operating on-site.
Infrastructure Minister Eyjólfur Ármannsson stated in an interview on Radio Saga recently that the taxi driver's coffee shed at Keflavík Airport was "the northernmost mosque in the world" and believes that Isavia is hesitant to address the issue. They have, however, addressed the issue now. Composite image
Shed gained public attention
The small structure drew national attention after being referred to as a “house of prayer” by some of the taxi drivers who used it. Infrastructure Minister Eyjólfur Ármannsson described it during a broadcast by Icelandic National Broadcasting Service (RÚV) as “the northernmost mosque in the world,” a remark that fueled public debate and media interest.
While the closure is officially attributed to health and safety concerns, the broader context of cultural and religious identity has made the case a subject of wider societal discussion.
