With the recent completion and consecration of the grand temple at the Ram Janmabhoomi complex in Ayodhya, the focus now shifts to the construction of the Mohammed bin Abdullah Masjid, marking a significant milestone in the region’s religious landscape.
The mosque, boasting five minarets and adhering to Islamic principles, is poised to become a prominent feature in Ayodhya. The cornerstone, a sacred brick immersed in the holy waters of Zamzam and infused with fragrances from Mecca Sharif and Medina Sharif, has arrived in Mumbai and is expected to reach Ayodhya in April.
Adorned with verses from the Holy Quran and the name of the Prophet of Islam in gold, this brick signifies the inception of the mosque’s foundation.
Following the Supreme Court’s verdict on the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi, the Muslim community was allocated five acres of land in Dhannipur, located 25 kilometres from Ayodhya, for the construction of the Alishan Mosque. While the mosque is set to cover an area of approximately 40,000 square feet, construction has been delayed pending approval of architectural plans.
Athar Hussain, secretary of the Mosque Trust, cited design delays as the primary reason for the postponement of the construction. However, with the mosque’s design slated for finalisation by March and subsequent submission for approval, the construction is anticipated to commence in May.
A pivotal meeting of the Mosque Trust is scheduled for February 29 in Mumbai, where officials will strategise donation collection methods and release bank account details and QR codes for contributions. This gathering marks a crucial juncture in the journey towards the realisation of the Alishan Mosque, signifying both religious harmony and architectural advancement in Ayodhya.
While the Supreme Court’s decision in 2019 resolved the Ram Janmabhoomi and Babri Masjid dispute and allocation of land to the Sunni Central Waqf Board for the mosque, the progress has been slow. Challenges related to funds and the approval of the mosque’s design have hindered its construction.
Dhannipur village, strategically positioned on the Ayodhya-Lucknow National Highway, is home to around 2,000 residents, with approximately 60 per cent identifying as Muslims. Despite the designated 5-acre plot near Shahgada Shah Mazar in the heart of the village, concerns persist among the local populace regarding the vacant land.
The responsibility for constructing the mosque in Dhannipur lies with the Indo Islamic Cultural Foundation Trust (IICF). Trust’s secretary Athar Hussain cited lack of funds and pending approval of the mosque’s design as primary reasons for the delay.