Seventh largest mosque opened in Lahore Bahria Town

[Salman]

LAHORE: Grand Jamia Mosque in Bahria Town Lahore, completed at the cost of about Rs4 billion, opened its doors for Eidul Azha prayers. This masterpiece of indigenous Pakistani architecture has a capacity to accommodate 70,000 people, which makes it the world’s 7th largest Masjid in the world. Additionally the indoor capacity of 25,000 people makes it the largest mosque in Pakistan, says a press release.

Chairman Bahria Town, Mr. Malik Riaz Hussain, along with scholars from the religious community, government officials and many other dignitaries from various walks of life attended the Eidul Azha prayers in the Grand Jamia Masjid, Bahria Town, Lahore. Mr Hussain quoted on the occasion that Bahria Town has constructed a number of beautiful mosques in Rawalpindi & Lahore but this Grand Jamia Mosque will become the proud identity of Bahria Town Lahore and also an international symbol patronizing Pakistan in the Islamic world.

The interior of the mosque is absolutely magnificent with breathtaking interiors, representing the fusion of traditional Islamic architecture with the Pakistan’s culture.The carpet has been custom-made from Turkey and there are over 50 luminous chandeliers that have been imported from Iran, creating a vibrant Islamic ambiance.

The structure comprises 4 minarets, each standing tall at 165 ft and a grand dome in the centre, which is surrounded by 20 smaller domes. The most fascinating feature about this masterpiece is that the exterior consists of 4 million, 2.5 inch Multani tiles which have been handmade with special Multani mitti and hand placed by the craftsmen and it took 4 years alone to complete.

The floors are made of marble and green trees planted in the courtyard to keep a pleasant temperature. The mosque is also air-conditioned. There are dedicated praying areas for women, a school and an Islamic art gallery