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DHAKA, Nov 22, 2024 (BSS)- Religious Affairs Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain today said Anderkilla Shahi Jame Mosque in Chattogram will be developed as an iconic mosque on the model of the Masjid al-Nabawi, the mosque of the Prophet.

“Anderkilla Shahi Jame Mosque as a unique example of Mughal architecture. It will be developed as an iconic mosque in line with the aspirations of the local Muslim community”, he told journalists after visiting the mosque this afternoon.

The adviser said the work of the project will commence initially with a sum of Taka 10 crore, donated by the Kuwait Charity Fund which has already been deposited to the ministry's fund. 

If additional funds are required, it will be sourced from the Islamic Foundation and the ministry's budget, he added.

The design would be finalized by December this year and the foundation stone of the development work of this mosque will be laid in January, said the adviser.

Regarding the mosque’s design, the adviser said, “Plans will ensure the space to be optimized to accommodate a large number of worshippers and the final decision regarding the preservation of the mosque's original structure will be made after discussions with experts from the archaeological department”.

“The mosque is approximately 400 years old which is considered as a historical archaeological site”, he added.

The Directorate of Architecture has already been asked to prepare the design, he said, adding, “The Directorate has already completed the soil test and digital survey”.

Islamic Foundation Divisional Director Borhan Uddin Md Abu Ahsan, Imam Training Academy Deputy Director Md Ashrafuzzaman, Anderkilla Shahi Jame Mosque Khatib Maulana Syed Md Anwar Hossain Taher Jaberi Al-Madani, Mosque Imam Maulana Md Anwarul Haque and Musalli Parishad President Salahuddin Kasem Khan, among others, were present.