While people are criticising the Capital Development Authority (CDA) for showing indifferent attitude towards maintenance of infrastructure and facilities like roads and parks, the civic body seems least bothered about the preservation of Faisal Mosque.
The agency had demanded the government to replacement the carpet in the mosque at a cost of Rs 14.1 million while Rs 100 million were sought for other maintenance-related works in the current financial year. As a result of the negligence of shown by the CDA’s concerned directorate, the condition of the flooring is deteriorating rapidly while the old carpet in the lawn has also not been replaced yet. Similarly, the cleanliness problems in the areas adjoining to the main complex are worsening and the exterior of the mosque is fast losing its attraction with the fading whitewash while the cemented plaster inside the hall does not give a good look.
The large crescent at the top of main structure and four small crescents at the minarets (pillars) of the mosque also found in rough condition, as the brass the crescents have not been polished for the last many years.
Security arrangements in the parking areas are also not up to the mark and many of vehicles in recent past months have reportedly been lifted. Poor planning in the parking area of the mosque is also creating problems for the visitors.
People, while talking to Pakistan Today, expressed their concerns described the mosque as an asset of the country and symbol of modern architecture and said the CDA was not giving proper attention towards its maintenance. “It is not only a mosque to offer prayers but an attraction for visitors who come here for leisure but their number is rapidly declining because of the CDA’s improper performance,” said a visitor.
The Faisal Mosque (also known as Shah Faisal Masjid) is an exceptionally large and unique landmark, the construction of which was completed in 1986,. Designed by a Turkish architect who won an international competition for the honour, the Faisal Mosque is shaped like a desert Bedouin’s tent and has attained the informal status of the national mosque of Pakistan.
It is located on an elevated area of land against a picturesque backdrop of the Margalla Hills. This enviable location represents a great importance and allows it to be seen from miles around day and night. The interior of the main tent-shaped hall is covered in white marble and decorated with mosaics, calligraphy by the Pakistani artists.
The prayer hall can accommodate 10,000 worshippers. The grave of former military dictator General Muhammad Ziaul Haq is an adjacent lawn of the mosque. The Faisal Mosque was the largest mosque in the world from 1986 until 1993, when it was overtaken in size by the completion of the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, Morocco. Subsequent expansions of the Masjid al-Haram (Grand Mosque) of Makkah and the Masjid al-Nabawi (Prophet’s Mosque) in Medina during the 1990s relegated the Faisal Mosque to fourth place in terms of size.
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