Madina Mosque, Shillong Explained

Madina Mosque, Shillong
Image Upright:1.2
Religious Affiliation:Sunni Islam
Location:Laban, Shillong, East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, India
Funded By:Shillong Muslim Union
Coordinates:25.567°N 91.878°W
Established:18 October 2012
Architecture Type:Mosque
Architecture Style:Islamic architecture
Dome Quantity:5 (One large, four small)
Minaret Quantity:4
Width:61 feet
Capacity:2000
Height Max:121 feet

The Madina Mosque (Arabic: مسجد المدينة شيلونغ) is a four-storey mosque in Shillong, India. It took one and a half years to complete and is the only glass mosque in India. It serves Meghalaya's largest Muslim community, the Sunni Muslims. The mosque is adjoined to the Meherba Orphanage, Islamic Library & Information Centre, and Islamic Theological Institute Markaz. It is one of the largest mosques in Northeast India, and the biggest in Meghalaya, accommodating more than 2,000 worshippers for congregational prayers.

The mosque was opened by the General Secretary of the Shillong Muslim Union Sayeedullah Nongrum and was inaugurated by Salman Khurshid, Shamim Akhtar, and Vincent Pala.

Structure

The Madina Mosque consists of a large structure with several domes. The building contains a central prayer hall, several smaller prayer rooms, and courtyards. The mosque is constructed of brick and concrete, with decorative elements such as arched windows and intricate carvings. The exterior of the mosque is painted in a traditional white and green color scheme, and the central dome is adorned with gold-coloured trim. A separate prayer space is provided for female congregants. The Mosque also has a large garden with several plants. The Mosque is 121 feet high and 61 feet wide. The four-story structure also has an orphanage, a library, and an Islamic theological institute. The mosque and the adjoining Eidgah has the capacity to accommodate 8,000 people for an assembly or prayer. [1] Among those who contributed to the construction of the mosque were Christians and Hindus. Over the years, it has acquired increasing significance in the world as a center for Islamic study and spirituality[2] and is a venue of celebration during the festivals of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha for the local Muslim community.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Historical mosques of North-eastern states of India.
  2. Web site: 16 October 2012 . India's first glass mosque in Shillong . The Hindu.