Kushtia, Oct 04 (V7N) – The Central Mosque of Islamic University (IU) is on track to become one of the most remarkable architectural landmarks in Bangladesh. Spanning an impressive 2.25 hectares , the mosque is set to be the third-largest in the country and one of the most visually stunning mosques in Asia. Once completed, it will have the capacity to accommodate 17,000 worshipers at a time.

The mosque's four-story structure is crafted with ceramic and white stone , creating a gleaming exterior that will radiate under the daylight. Its towering 90-foot-high dome , which rises above the university campus, will serve as both a religious and architectural beacon, drawing visitors from across the region, especially on Fridays when prayers take place.

In addition to being a place of worship, the mosque is envisioned as a center for Islamic scholarship and community engagement. The facilities will include an Islamic Library and Research Center , an Islamic Bank , and a cafeteria for students and staff. These features will position the mosque as a hub for both spiritual and educational activities , catering to the university community and beyond.

The ground floor of the mosque spans 51,000 square feet , providing prayer space for 7,000 worshipers . An additional 10,000 worshipers will be able to gather on the open plinth area in front of the mosque. The architectural design includes 14 domes of various sizes, with four minarets standing at 150 feet high surrounding the mosque. Three large entrances will welcome worshipers and visitors, each topped with a dome, and pathways will connect the mosque to different faculty buildings on campus.

The journey to build the Central Mosque has been a long and arduous one. Construction began in 1994 with initial government funding, but setbacks, including the mismanagement of foreign donations, caused significant delays. By 2004 , only 36% of the work had been completed. Despite this, State Minister for Religious Affairs Mosharraf Hossain Shahjahan inaugurated the partially finished mosque for prayers that same year.

After 13 years of stagnation , the project resumed in 2017 under the leadership of Vice-Chancellor Rashid Askari . With a renewed budget of Tk 5.5 crore , construction advanced significantly in two phases, bringing the mosque closer to its anticipated completion.

Once finished, the IU Central Mosque will not only stand as a place of prayer but also as a symbol of faith, unity, and Islamic heritage for future generations. It will serve as a beacon of spiritual reflection and a center for learning and community services , marking it as one of the most iconic landmarks in the country.

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