The Government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh has been constructing a total of 564 “Model Masjid and Islamic Cultural Centers” at a cost of around US Dollar One Billion all over the country. The Model Masjid and the Islamic Cultural Centers are being built at all the Divisional, District, and Upazilla (Sub–District) levels across the country.
Out of a total of 564 Model Masjid, a total of 200 are already completed and inaugurated. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated 50 mosques each in four different phases. The first phase was on June 10, 2021, the second phase was on January 16, 2023, the third phase was on March 16, 2023, and the forth phase was on 17 April 2023. In each phase, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina opened 50 Model Masjid at different corners and parts of Bangladesh. The construction of the remaining model mosques and Islamic cultural centers is scheduled to be completed by June 2024.
Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner in Karachi, Mr. S. M. Mahbubul Alam mentioned that Father of the Nation of Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was dedicated to Islam – The religion of peace. Deputy High Commissioner highlighted different activities of the Father of the Nation for Islam such as the establishment of the Islamic Foundation, bringing a ship for the transportation of Hajj pilgrims, taking measures to organize Bishwa Ijtema in Bangladesh, and land allocation in Tongi near Dhaka for it, giving land to Kakrail Mosque, the Markaz Masjid of Tablig and Baitul Muqarram – the National Mosque, the introduction of Quaran Telwat in BTV and Betar (Radio), announcing holiday on Eid-e-Miladunnabi and so forth. Being imbued with the great spirit of Islam and following the footsteps of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, her daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has come up with the idea of constructing 564 model mosques across the country.
In the model masjid and Islamic cultural centers, there will be separate places for ablution and namaj with central air-condition systems. There will be registration and training arrangements for hajj pilgrims, Imam training center, a research and Islamic library, autism corner, ritual system for burial, car parking facilities, hifazakhana, pre-primary education, and Holy Qur’an learning arrangement, a conference room for Islamic Cultural activities and Islamic Dawwa, Islamic books sale center, boarding facilities for local and foreign guests in the model masjid complexes. The purpose of the project is to publicize Islamic brotherhood and its values as well as disseminate the essence of Islam. The establishment of model mosques will help and encourage people to follow the right path of Islam and understand the essence of Islam accurately. People will know more about the rights and responsibilities in Islam towards all segments of the society including men, women, and children irrespective of caste, creed, and religion, and other relevant aspects of socio-economic and inclusive-developmental issues for all and related awareness, respects, and responsibilities.
The Model Masjid and Islamic Cultural Centers are being built in three different categories. Under category A, some 69 four-storey mosques having an elevator facility and a floor space of 2,360.09 square meters each are being constructed in all 64 districts and city corporation Headquarters in Bangladesh. Under category B, 475 mosques are being built with a floor space of 1680.14 square meters each, while 16 mosques under the C category in coastal areas will have a floor space of 2,052.12 square meters each.
Bangladesh is a Muslim majority and peace-loving country with practicing Muslims. Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony. Bangladesh believe in Islam, which teaches mankind to be tolerant towards other religions. Everyone peacefully performs his/her own religion in Bangladesh, which is one of the fundamental principles of the Constitution of Bangladesh. Everyone performs their religious rituals keeping communal harmony in Bangladesh. The Model Masjids will be the centers of Islamic excellence across Bangladesh.
