ISLAMABAD – The historic 120-year-old Markazi Jamia Masjid of Rawalpindi is facing an acute water shortage and a lack of patronage from the Evacuee Property Trust Board (ETBP) as the maintenance and basic amenities were managed on a self-help basis. He informed that the mosque was an irresistible tourist attraction and religious spot as people in swathes gather at Jamia Masjid to offer Eid and Jumma prayers. “Jamia Masjid needs to be given due attention to keep it preserved for the coming generations,” said Khalid Bhatti a faithful observing Eitekaf during Ramzan for the past 35 years. He told that the mosque has a huge prayer area and dozens of people used to observe Eitekaf at the Jamia Masjid but due to the post-pandemic situation the number has significantly dropped. “The architecture of Jamia Masjid resembles that of other grand mosques built by Mughal Emperors which also makes it a centre of attraction,” he added.

Source: The Nation May 01, 2022 12:04 UTC