BAITUL MUKARRAM

Bangladesh National Mosque was completed in 1968 after 9 years of work, but its opening dates back to 1963. It can accommodate 40 000 faithful and run regularly during the month of Ramadan. It is the tenth largest mosque in the world and its architecture is inspired by both Mughal elements and al-Haram mosque in Mecca. It is accessed by a portico with three arches, the central arch of which is slightly larger than the others, a style effect borrowed from Mughal architecture. The mosque is built on a raised platform of 30 metres relative to the ground level. The heart of the mosque is a huge cube, without dome, inspired by the Kaaba of the mosque in Mecca. This is the only mosque of this kind in Bangladesh. The mirab, the niche indicating the direction of Mecca, is rectangular instead of the usual half-circle. Baitul Mukarram is very weakly ornamented according to modern Islamic architecture.