“We will not take any symbolism or design elements from the past or medieval times. The design of the mosque is contemporary and will be energy efficient. Subject to formal approval of the plan, the project when it gets into full swing will take only two years. to be completed, “IICF Trust announced in Lucknow at a news conference on Saturday.
As IICF tries to get out of the shadows of the demolished Babri Masjid, now hopes to call not only people to prayer, but also toward a “syncretic and modern” future, said members of the trust.
While the project’s chief architect, Professor SM Akhtar, and its cultural curator, Professor Pushpesh Pant, came together via the web. They clarified that there would be no major foundation-laying ceremony for the project, as there is no such tradition in Islam.
“There is no particular design standard that must be followed for a mosque in Islam. Arches and domes were an element of medieval architecture that remained. But the architecture is constantly evolving. Mosques now like those in the Emirates United Arab Emirates (UAE)), Germany, Turkey, Pakistan and others have contemporary architecture. We are not creating a precedent, “said Professor SM Akhar, founding dean of the faculty of architecture and ekistics of Jamia Millia Islamia, who joined the online press conference.
According to the design, the mosque will rise in an area of more than 1700 square meters, it will have two floors with two minarets of contemporary design in its front and a glass dome with skylight. It would accommodate around 550 people.
“Syncretic culture will be represented in all elements and comforts. We have to move on from the past towards a collective future,” added former JNU professor of international relations, Professor Pushpesh Pant.
“Zero energy is the main element of the mosque. It will be solar powered and have a vibrant green patch with a variety of trees from all over the world. There are examples of such mosques, the closest being the Badriya Juma Masjid in Karnataka which is the world’s first green green mosque, “added IICF President and UP Sunni Central Waqf Board Head Zufar Faruqi.
While the trust does not yet include the name of the mosque, the fact that it “would not be named after any king or emperor” is very clear, clarifying that the name Babri Masjid is out of the question.
“There is a lot of work to be done before we can start work on the site. Soil tests must be done, a plan accepted by the relevant authorities and only then can we begin. We want the work to start from January 26 when the The Constitution came into force. However, if it is not possible, we are sure that by August 15, Independence Day, we will be ready to start, “said trust spokesman Athar Husain.
In addition to the mosque, a much larger 200-bed super specialty hospital, a museum and archive center, a library, and a community kitchen will also be installed on the allocated land.
“A hospital is the most important requirement in the area. Through our survey, it was found that women and children in nearby areas are severely malnourished, and in the absence of a nearby hospital, patients are forced to run to Lucknow, Gorakhpur. or other cities, “said Husain.
“We are currently raising funds for the project and there are some donors for the hospital. Rough estimates say that in a 200 bed super specialty hospital, 50 lakhs are required per bed. The first phase will include the mosque and the hospital and the second phase The phase will include the expansion of the hospital, “added Husain.
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