Hasina’s Mujib Year Gift560 model mosques being built

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has set another example by taking an initiative to build 560 model mosques and Islamic cultural centres across the country.

Targeting the Mujib Barsho, the government has initiated a Tk 87.22 billion project to build the model mosques and Islamic cultural centres from the government revenue budget, said Md. Nazibar Rahman, the director for the project being implemented by the Islamic Foundation.

“A total of 170 model mosques will be inaugurated across the country in three phases by December this year, coinciding with the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,” he said, adding that the construction work of a total of 460 model mosques and Islamic cultural centres have already begun across the country.

These model mosques are being built in three categories – A, B and C. Under category A, some 69 four-storey mosques having the elevator facility are being constructed in 64 districts and city corporation areas. Each floor of a mosque will have a space of 2,360.09 square metres.

Under category B, 475 mosques are being built with a floor space of 1680.14 square metres each, while 16 mosques under C category in coastal areas will have a floor space of 2,052.12 square metres each.

The district and city corporation mosques would accommodate 1,200 people for prayers at a time while 900 people can offer prayer at a time in each upazila and coastal area mosque.

The model mosques will have facilities such as Islamic research and Din-E-Dawah activities, Quran Hefzkhana, children and mass education system, accommodation facilities for both local and foreign tourists, arrangements for bath and burial for deceased, enrollment and training of hajj pilgrims, car parking, and accommodation for Imam-Muazzin, officials and employees of the cultural centres.

During a visit to Rangpur and Sirajganj districts, this correspondent has found that the construction work of four-storey model mosque and Islamic cultural centres in two districts were undergoing in full swing.

Mawlan Azizur Rahman, a resident of Rangpur, said the new model mosques and Islamic cultural centre will create a greater opportunity for the people to practice religious activities in a modern environment. Around 14,000 Hafez-e-Quran will be come out from these mosques every year across the country.