Centre raises N1.3 bn for expansion of 10,000 capacity Mosque project

Dr Kabir Kabo, the Director-General, International Centre for Islamic Culture and Education (ICICE) said the centre has so far realised N1.3 billion for the expansion of An Noor Mosque, Abuja.

Kabo was speaking on Saturday while fielding questions from journalists shortly after the fundraising ceremony for the construction of 10,000-capacity additional space for the Mosque in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the expansion project was estimated to cost N3.15 billion.

ICICE is the custodian of An Noor Mosque, which was established to promote Islamic education, culture, supporting humanity and peaceful coexistence.

He expressed gratitude to individuals and corporate organisations that made donations toward the construction of the Mosque.

“ Today, I am really overjoyed; as the Director-General of this Centre, we give glory to almighty Allah for creating the opportunity for people who donated over N1.3 billion.

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“Hopefully with the further fundraising initiative, it is possible we might even generate the N3 billion minimum we want for the project to be executed,’’ he said.

Kabo explained that the initial 1,000-capacity was inadequate to accommodate the increasing number of worshippers in the Mosque.

“If you look at it in a real context where a Mosque is designed, it is really more than a Mosque, it is an Islamic centre whereby people are treated with dignity and respect.

“Facilities for worship have been provided, palliative support to alleviate people’s needs have been provided and humanitarian activities, interface, dialogues and many other activities will be accommodated in the centre.

“We needed a platform to expand the project from 1,000 seating capacity to 10,000 and that is why we are here today; we gave the contractor 24 months to complete the project,“ he said.

Kabo however said the centre fed over 1,200 people during the Ramadan period.

“Actually, besides the act of worship in the daily prayers, we also fed 1,200 hundred people every day for the 29 days of Ramadan.

“We also conduct medical outreach; we have doctors, nurses and medical personnel in the area of paramedics and they are all supported free of charge,“ he said.

In his address, the Sultan of Sokoto and President, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Muhammad Sa`ad Abubakar, represented by the Emir of Keffi, Dr Shehu Chindo Yamusa III, urged the people to donate generously toward the expansion of the Mosque.

Abubakar said it was an opportunity for the people to donate in the course of the almighty Allah and get a reward for the good deed.

“So, it is an opportunity for all of us to give what we have and support Islam so that the religion of Islam will be propagated and Allah will remember us hereafter.’’

Also speaking, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Mr Isa Ali Pantami, stressed the need for wealthy individuals in the society to support the less privileged.

“I will emphasise the need to support the people with our resources and sacrifice what we have in doing charity because the Almighty Allah draws our attention to assisting the needy among us, “ he said. (NAN).