Baitul Mukarram The National Mosque of Bangladesh

Baitul Mukarram (Arabic: ; Bengali: ; The Holy House) is

the national mosque of Bangladesh. Located at the center of Dhaka, capital
of Bangladesh, the mosque was completed in 1968. The mosque has a capacity of
30,000, giving it the respectable position of being the 10th biggest mosque in the world.
However the mosque is constantly getting overcrowded. This especially occurs during
the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which has resulted in the Bangladeshi government
having to add extensions to the mosque, thus increasing the capacity to at least 40,00

Architecture
The mosque has several modern architectural features whilst at the same time it preserves the
traditional principles of Mughalarchitecture which has for some time been dominant in the Indian
sub-continant. Baitul Mukarram's large cube shape was modeled to that of
the Ka'abah at Mecca making it a noticeable structure being unlike any other mosque in
Bangladesh.
Exterior design
The mosque is on a very high platform. The Baitul Mukarram Mosques building is eight storied
and 99 feet high from the ground level. According to the original plan, the main entrance of the
mosque was to be on the eastern side. The 'shaan' on the east is 29,000 square feet with
ablution space on its south and north sides. Ablution or Wudu Place cached an important part
when the Baitul Mukarram was begun. The absence of a dome on the main building is
compensated by the two superficial domed entrance porticoes, one on the south, and the other
on the north. The height of these porticoes consists of three rabbit's foot shaped arches, the
middle of which is bigger than the rest.
Interior design
Two patios (roofless inner courtyard) ensure that enough light and air enter the prayer hall of
Baitul Mukarram Mosque. The mehrab of the hall is rectangular instead of semi-circular.
Excessive ornamentation is avoided throughout the mosque, since minimizing ornamentation is
typical of modern architecture.
Garden
The garden is laid out in a style borrowed heavily from Mughal gardens, however unlike the
traditional Mughal gardens which represent the Islamic Heaven, the garden does not have the
Char-Bagh system most likely due to not having enough room for such a garden. The future of
this garden is unknown, if the Bangladeshi government extends the mosque, it will most likely
have to remove the garden.

History
The mosque complex was designed by architect, T Abdul Hussain Thariani. In 1959, owner of
then Bawany Jute Mills, Haji Abdul Latif Bawany proposed to Major General Omrao Khan, then
military administrator of East Pakistan, of building a grande mosque in Dhaka. Omrao Khan

agreed to help on building such mosque. Same year, 'Baitul Mukarram mosque committee' had
been established and 8.30 acre of land between new Dhaka and old Dhaka had been chosen.
At that time, there was a large pond in present mosque's location. It was known as 'Paltan pond.
The pond was filled up and in 27th January, 1960 then president of Pakistan Ayub
Khan commenced the work. Pray for first time took place on Friday, 25th january, 1963.
The plan included shops, offices, libraries and parking areas within the complex. Though there
has been a tradition of dome mosque for Muslim, this building did not maintain the rule of
traditional mosque in that time. A Mosque without a dome over the roof of its main prayer hall
must have been a unique experiment. The mosque was built when the country was the Part of
the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
Khatibs
Khatibs Of Baitul Mukarram

Serial
No.

Year

1963

1963- Mawln Jafar Ahmed

1964 Usmani

The Only Sayyid Khatib in The history of Baitul Mukarram,

Mufti Sayed Muhammd
1964Has been authored more than 200 books, some renowned are,
Amimul Ehasan Barkati
1974
Fiqhus-sunan wal Athar, Qawa'idul-Fiqh, Fatwae Barkati. He
(Mufti Amimul Ehasan)
also prepare the 5 time Salat (Prayer) chart for Bangladesh.

1974- Mufti Mawln Abdul

1984 Moeez

1984Mawln Ubaidul Haq

2007

The longest serving Khatib of the mosque. Served until his

death in 2007.[5]

2007- Hafez Mufti

2009 Muhammad Nurriddin

(Acting)

Name

Comments

Mawln Abdur
Rahman Bekud

Writer of the famous Book Ilahus Sunan

Followers of the Islamic faithconsider a mosque to be the primary place of worship where
Muslims gather together for prayer. Mosques reflect traditional Islamic architecture and are
recognized world-wide for their importance to the Muslim community. In addition to the
importance mosques have with regard to worship and prayer, they also serve as places to learn
about Islam and to meet fellow believers. With this in mind, it is clear that Baitul Mukarram,
being the national mosque of Bangladesh, is of significant importance to Muslims in the area.

The mosque complex includes shops, libraries, offices and parking areas. The main prayer hall
has an area of 26,517 square feet with an additional mezzanine floor on the eastern side which
measures 1,840 square feet. The prayer hall has verandas on three of its sides. The mihrab
(niche in wall of mosque showing the direction of Mecca) is rectangular instead of the more
traditional semi-circular design and ornamental decoration has been kept to a minimum. The
gardens with rows of fountains are beautifully maintained. The architectural style of Baitul
Makarram closely resembles the famous Kaabah at Mecca, distinguishing it from other
mosques in Bangladesh.

Everyday hundreds of Muslims take Iftar at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque
hosted by Islamic Foundation Bangladesh during Ramadan.

There is a big religious products market in Baitul Mukarram. Beside mosque market many
temporary religious products shops are sustaining around the mosque area. About 700 religious
products shops available here. Islamic books, jainamaj, scent, cap, surma ( ash color for eye ),
burkha, Islamic CD disk, agorbati, rose water, maswak ( teeth brush) etc. are available here.
However wall mate with Islamic calligraphy, mythological photo, show piece, janamas ( carpet
for pray ) calendar etc. are also sales here.
Friday is the holiday of Baitul Mukarram market. This market starts at 9:00am and closes at
9:00pm.