Baitul Mukarram National Mosque of Bangladesh The mosque is located in Paltan, the heart of the capital Dhaka. The construction of the mosque was completed in 1968. Its architecture is very beautiful. The steps to build this mosque were taken on the initiative of Latif Bawani and his nephew Yahya Bawani, a prominent industrialist of Pakistan at that time. The mosque can hold 30,000 worshipers simultaneously, making it the 10th largest mosque in the world in terms of capacity. However, since the mosque has a large number of worshipers besides Friday prayers, especially during Ramadan, the Bangladesh government increased the capacity of the mosque to 40,000.

It is one of the main religious places in the country which attracts thousands of Muslims every day. this mosque is a blend of modern and traditional architectural styles modeled after Islam’s holiest Kaaba Sharif. The importance of this mosque is not only limited to the religious field; It is also an essential part of the cultural and social life of Bangladesh.

The mosque has traditional features of Mughal architecture as well as several modern architectural features. The large cube of Baitul Mukarram, modeled after the Holy Kaaba in Mecca, makes it special. Which makes this mosque different from any other mosque in Bangladesh.

history

Dhaka’s prominent businessman and social worker Haji Abdul Latif played a key role behind the establishment of Baitul Mukarram Mosque. In 1959, he undertook the construction of a large mosque in Dhaka, which later came to be known as the National Mosque. Pakistani architect Abdul Hussain Tharani was commissioned to design the mosque. Construction of the mosque started in the 1960s and was completed in 1968 and the mosque has been used as the National Mosque of Bangladesh ever since.

architectural style

The architectural style of Baitul Mukarram Mosque is very different from other mosques. The main structure of the mosque is modeled after the Kaaba Sharif, which makes it different from other mosques. The main mosque stands on a rectangular square, surrounded by huge minarets. The height of the mosque is about 260 feet and the top of the main dome of the mosque has golden work that sparkles in the sunlight.

Interior design

The interior of the mosque has marble stone floors and walls with Islamic designs. Around 30,000 worshipers can pray together in the main hall of the mosque. White and black marble has been used to enhance the interior decoration, which on the one hand symbolizes the purity and solitude of Islam, and on the other hand enhances the beauty of the mosque manifold. Surrounding the main hall of the mosque are spacious balconies and open courtyards where worshipers can sit comfortably.

Religious and social importance

Baitul Mukarram Mosque is an important religious center for the Muslim community of Bangladesh. Daily prayers are offered here five times a day and Friday prayers are attended by a large number of worshippers. The mosque is famous for special worship and Tarawi prayers during the month of Ramadan. Special prayers are also organized here on the days of Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azhar, which are telecasted on national television.

The mosque has an important social role. Religious education classes, Islamic seminars and various social service activities are held here. The mosque is considered a symbol of the country’s religious harmony and has served as a hub for various Islamic and social movements.

Economic impact

Baitul Mukarram Masjid is not only a religious place but also has an important impact on the economy of Dhaka. Various business establishments have been established around the mosque. There are Islamic bookstores, halal food restaurants and various religious goods shops. Every year during the month of Ramadan and Eid there is a huge expansion of business activities around the mosque. As a result, this mosque plays a significant role in the local economy.

The mosque is also an attractive place for tourists. Local and foreign tourists visit the mosque and are interested to learn about its architecture, history and cultural significance. The mosque also contributes to the country’s financial sector through the tourism industry.

Expansion and maintenance

Baitul Mukarram Mosque has undergone various expansion and maintenance works since its establishment. The first expansion work was done in 1975 and it was completed in 1983. This increases the capacity of the mosque and allows more worshipers to pray together. Later, another expansion project was undertaken in 2011, through which the infrastructure of the mosque was improved and modernized.

The responsibility for maintenance is generally vested with the Dhaka City Corporation and the Bangladesh Islamic Foundation. Besides, various donor organizations and private initiatives also support the maintenance of the mosque.

The maintenance of the mosque is entrusted to Dhaka City Corporation and Bangladesh Islamic Foundation. In addition to government assistance, the maintenance of the mosque is also supported by private institutions and private donors. Floors, walls and other parts of the mosque are regularly cleaned and repaired. Apart from this, special attention is paid to the electricity, drinking water and security of the mosque.

Economic impact and tourism attraction

Baitul Mukarram Mosque is one of the tourist attractions of the country. Every day tourists from different parts of the country and abroad visit the mosque. The vicinity of the mosque is home to various Islamic bookstores, halal food restaurants, and Islamic goods stores, making it an important hub for local businesses.

Baitul Mukarram Mosque is not only limited to religious activities but also contributes to the economy of the country. People visiting mosques during various religious festivals increase sales in nearby shops and businesses, which helps economic activity.

Baitul Mukarram Mosque has 8 floors. On the ground floor there is a market and a large market. Prayers are offered on every floor from the second floor to the sixth floor. Currently, a total of 40,000 Muslims can pray together in the main mosque and the north, south and east mosques. Inside the mosque there is a separate prayer room and library for women with ablution facilities. 1st floor area is 26,517 sq.ft, 2nd floor area is 10,660 sq.ft, 3rd floor area is 10,723 sq.ft, 4th floor area is 7370 sq.ft, 5th floor area is 6,925 sq.ft and 6th floor area is 7438 sq.ft. An additional 39,899 square feet of prayer space is offered during Jumma and Eid. Women have a 6,382 square feet prayer space, located on the north side of the mosque’s three floors. 6,425 square feet is used for men’s washrooms. 880 sq. ft. used for women’s lavatory. The entrance to the mosque is 99 feet above the road.

Current challenges

Baitul Mukarram Mosque is currently facing some challenges. Most notable among these are neighborhood traffic congestion and parking issues. The large number of people arriving at the mosque on weekly and special days causes heavy traffic congestion in the surrounding area. Besides, the worshipers have to face difficulties due to lack of required number of parking spaces around the mosque.

Another major challenge is the security of the mosque. As it is a national mosque and because of large number of people, it is very important to strengthen the security system of the mosque. Security measures have been questioned at various times and therefore the government and concerned authorities have to take special measures in this regard.

There are also some problems with the maintenance and cleanliness of the mosque. Regular maintenance is required to maintain adequate cleanliness inside and outside the mosque and to protect the infrastructure of the mosque. However, some steps have already been taken to address these challenges and more steps are planned in the future.

future plans

Various plans have been undertaken for the development and expansion of Baitul Mukarram Masjid. There are plans to undertake a major expansion project in the future to further increase the capacity of the mosque. This will allow more worshipers to pray together and enhance the beauty and facilities of the mosque.

Advanced technology will be used to modernize the infrastructure of the mosque and there are plans to make it a fully eco-friendly mosque. Besides, special initiatives will be taken to strengthen the security system of the mosque and solve the parking problem. There are also plans to take effective measures in discussions with the concerned authorities to decongest the area around the mosque.

Baitul Mukarram Mosque is an important part of the religious, social and cultural life of Bangladesh. Its architecture, religious activities and social role make the mosque one of the most important structures in the country. As a national mosque, Baitul Mukarram is only a religious field

Baitul Mukarram Mosque is not just a religious place, it is an integral part of Bangladesh’s national identity. Its architectural style, religious and cultural role and historical context make this mosque a symbol of Bangladesh’s pride. Through the proper maintenance and development of the mosque, it will continue to exist as the main religious center of the Muslim community in the country. The Baitul Mukarram Mosque is a glorious heritage for Bangladesh and will continue to be the focal point of the religious life of the Muslim community for a long time. The mosque is playing an important role in propagating and spreading Islam and contributing to the religious and social stability of the country.