In a significant step towards fostering reconciliation and religious harmony, the inaugural brick for the foundation of the proposed grand mosque in Ayodhya has reached Mumbai after a sacred journey to Mecca and Medina.
Crafted in a Mumbai kiln, the brick underwent ceremonial washing with holy Zam-Zam water in Mecca and was anointed with perfumes in Medina before returning to Mumbai. Scheduled to arrive at the site of the Masjid Mohammed Bin Abdullah mosque in Dhannipur Village, Ayodhya, in mid-April, the brick’s journey signifies a momentous occasion for India’s Islamic community.
Overseen by Haji Arfat Shaikh, a member of the Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation and Chairman of the Masjid Mohammed Bin Abdullah Development Committee, the mosque holds promise as a pivotal center for prayer and healing in India. Shaikh expressed confidence in the mosque’s construction, comparing its future grandeur to globally renowned monuments like the Taj Mahal.
Emphasizing the mosque’s significance, Shaikh highlighted its adherence to the five tenets of Islam, with plans for five symbolic minarets and the placement of the world’s largest copy of the Holy Quran. Crafted from Mumbai’s black soil and adorned with Quranic inscriptions, the brick symbolizes the unity and spiritual aspirations of Indian Muslims.
The brick’s journey from Mumbai to Ayodhya will be marked by elaborate processions, underscoring the reverence and significance attached to this historic event. A descendant of the Sufi saint Sarkar Peer Adil will lead the procession alongside representatives of diverse Islamic sects, symbolizing inclusivity and unity.
In a move towards transparency, the mosque will launch a website and QR code for donations, facilitating contributions towards its development projects. These initiatives include a cancer hospital, college, senior citizens’ home, and vegetarian kitchen, reflecting the mosque’s multifaceted role in serving the community.
As India awaits the completion of this monumental mosque, its construction serves as a beacon of hope, unity, and religious tolerance in the nation’s collective consciousness.
