A mosque can literally be defined as “Sajada” (in Arabic), which means “prostrate” whereas a mosque is categorized as the place for “sujuud” (masjid). A mosque or masjid is therefore referred to as a place for worship.
The mosque, as a learning centre, serves as a catalyst to the development of the surrounding area within the aspects of educational, physical, spiritual and psychological needs.
A mosque is a place that strengthens the kinship of Muslims and a centre that portrays sustainable design values that can accommodate the various needs of the society.
In summary, the general role of a sustainable communal mosque includes a place for prayers for all as history and Hadith (sayings of the Prophet PBUH) show that believers used to meet for the collective prayers five times a day at the Mosque of the Prophet (PBUH) in Madinah that was also opened for everybody, men and women, old and young, Arabs and non-Arabs.
Apart from prayers, the mosque is also a place for socialization, for “Da’awah” (Islamic call), for celebration and festivities (wedding, eids etc). It is also a place for meetings, medical care and importantly for education.
Conscious of these unquantifiable beneficial services offered by a communal mosque to the public, the International Centre for Islamic Culture and Education, ICICE, the custodian of Al-Noor Masjid, Abuja, decided to transform the masjid to “more than a mosque” by expanding it to accommodate the ever-increasing number of worshippers of more than 10,000 at a time.
An expansive ablution bay for both male and female worshippers and ritual bath houses will be built in the new complex while the Tahfiz and Tilawa classes, conference halls and auditorium and the library will move out of the ICICE administrative block to the new Al-Noor Mosque.
Realising the importance of a Communal Mosque in the unity of the Ummah and as a centre of learning as well as the bounties of Allah (SWT) derived from donating a charity for His sake, the Director-General and Chief Executive of the ICICE, Dr Kabir Kabo Usman said the management with the approval of the Board of Trustees resolved in May 2018 to solicit for donations from individuals and organisations through an Appeal Fund to be launched for the Al-Noor Masjid Expansion Project.
The purpose was to give other members of the Muslim community a sense of belonging through contribution for such a religious cause. In a presentation to a congregation at the mosque on 19th November 2020, the Director-General emphasized the Hadith that says “Whoever builds a mosque for the sake of Allah, Allah will build for him a house in Paradise” (Sahih al-Bukhari 439, Sahih Muslim 533).
Consequent to the approval by the ICICE Board of Trustees of the concept for the desirability of an expanded Al-Noor Masjid that will be a magnificent “mosque and more”, information about the project and notice soliciting for donations were first made public on 25th May while architects and consultant project managers were engaged on 30th May and 18th June, 2018 respectively. The Board of Trustees met on 25th September 2020 and approved contract for the project at the cost of N3.150 billion.
After several consultations among the various committees, the Board of Trustees of the ICICE and the Al-Noor Masjid Advisory Committee with his eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, CFR., Saturday, April 24th, 2021 (13th Ramadan 1442) was agreed as the date for the Groundbreaking launch of the Appeal Fund and the Foundation Laying of the Al-Noor Masjid Expansion Project, at the Mosque premises, IBB Way, Wuse II, Abuja.
Doubting Thomases about the success of the planned two-in-one event was amazed as the turn out of the invitees and the enthusiastic members of the public were awesome. The Special Guest of Honor, the Sultan of Sokoto who was bereaved on the eve of the launch was represented by the Emir of Keffi, Alhaji Shehu Usman Chindo Yamusa III, and unveiled the plaque to commemorate the foundation laying.
Donations in cash, cheques and pledges were made and about N1.3 billion was realized on the spot. These excluded the over N360 million collected as donations before the launch.
However, as construction work progresses and the company is being paid according to the terms of the contract, the chunk of the pledges has not yet been redeemed but BUA Cement Company that pledged to donate the whole cement required for the project has supplied six trailer loads of cement totalling 5,400 bags while two anonymous persons have donated 250 and 50 bags of cement respectively.
The ICICE management and the Al-Noor Masjid advisory committee are making efforts to follow up and get all pledged donations of over N1bn redeemed while willing members of the public and organizations can still donate.
Abdulkadir Ahmed Ibrahim, a Fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (FNGE) is a Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) to the Director General of the ICICE, Wuse II, Abuja.
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