INTRICATE: The Qibla carved in marble and gold at the Burhani Masjid in Gottigere, Bangalore. — Photo: Sampath Kumar G.P.

Bangalore: As many as 110 names of Allah inscribed in 24 carat gold. Inscriptions of Ayats (verses) from the Koran. The Qibla (the front semi circled portion from where the Imam leads prayers) intricately carved in marble and gold. Welcome to the newly built Burhani Masjid in Gottigere, off Bannerghatta Road in Bangalore.

This classic monument of Fatemi architecture is a replica of 1,100-year-old Masjid of Maulatena Hurrat-ul-Maleka situated in Zi-jibla, Yemen, and depicts the glory of the Fatemi Imams.

Built with contributions from members of the Dawoodi Bohra community, this mosque was inaugurated in February by Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin Saheb, the spiritual head of the community. "He had come down to the city after 22 years for inaugurating the mosque," Firoz T. Totanawala, a representative of the community, said.

Philosophy

The cardinal principle of the settlement and development of societies according to the Fatemi culture should ideally be around the mosque. The Gottigere mosque follows this philosophy of Islam. More than 80 families reside in the vicinity of the mosque and many more are expected to settle soon.

The mosque also has offices and residence of the Aamil (representative of Syedna in Bangalore). The "Sehan", which is generally left open, is covered here making it an extension of the mosque.

While more than 4,000 people can offer namaaz at the mosque, over 5,000 people can attend a "majlis" (spiritual gathering) here.

The outer elevation of the mosque is a blend of two ancient mosques of Egypt "Al-Azhar" and "Al-Anwar" built in the 9th and 10th centuries respectively.

Two floors of the mosque are exclusively for women with separate entrances. This apart, the mosque has other added attractions. The "Marsiya of Ya Syeda Shohadai", penned by 51st Dai Syedna Taher Saifuddin depicting the tragic event of Karbala where the grandson of Prophet Mohammed was killed, is inscribed in gold. The word "Ya Hussain" as handwritten by Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin is also inscribed in gold.

Five chandeliers made in the shape of flowers hang in the main hall of the mosque. "These chandeliers symbolise the garden city image of Bangalore," Mr. Totanawala added.

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