Dhaka : Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on July 30 opened 50 more newly constructed model mosques and Islamic cultural centres across the country.
A total of 250 mosques have so far been built as part of the government's move to construct 564 district and upazila-level model mosques at a cost of BDT 9,435 crore.
In the fifth phase of the project, the PM opened the 50 mosques through a virtual inaugural ceremony from the Gono Bhaban.
Earlier, she unveiled 50 mosques each in the first phase on June 10, 2021, in the second phase on January 16, 2023, the third phase on March 16 and the fourth phase on April 17.
The construction of the remaining mosques and Islamic cultural centres is scheduled to be completed by June, 2024.
The model mosques and Islamic cultural centres include separate places for ablution and prayers along with air-conditioning system.
Besides, there will be registration and training arrangements for hajj pilgrims, Imam training centre, research centre and Islamic library, autism corner, arrangements for ritual before burial, car park, hifzakhana, pre-primary education and Quran learning arrangements, conference room for Islamic cultural activities and Islamic dawat, Islamic books sales centre, boarding facility for local and foreign guests.
In the spirit of Islam and following in the footsteps of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the prime minister came up with the idea of constructing 564 model mosques across the country.
The purpose of the project is to publicise Islamic culture and values as well as disseminate the essence of Islam against extremism and militancy.
Under Category A, some 69 four-storey mosques with an elevator facility and a floor space of 2,360.09 square metres each are being constructed in 64 districts and city corporation areas.
Under Category B, 475 mosques are being built with a floor space of 1680.14 square metres each, while 16 mosques under Category C in coastal areas will have a floor space of 2,052.12 square metres each.