India's biggest mosque to come up in Kozhikode 10 February, 2011 07:43:00

Kozhikode (Kerala) Feb 10 (IANS) Preliminary work to build what is billed as India’s biggest mosque has begun here, thanks to the initiative of the charitable institution Jamia Markazu Ssaquafathi Ssunniyya headed by Muslim scholar Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobaker Musliyar.

Musliyar heads the popular social, charity and educational organisation based here which has in the past three decades educated more than 30,000 students from various states in the country.

Two years back, Markazu hit the headlines when more than 100 children from Kashmir were enrolled here for their basic education.

Speaking to IANS, Musliyar said the plans for the mega project were in their initial stages.

“See, these things are just being planned and raising money is the issue here. At this moment, I do not wish to come out with the estimates and other details. At the appropriate time, I will reveal all the details. Right now, I do not wish to say when the project will start or when it would be completed,” said Musliyar.

A source close to Musliyar, however, added that the land for the proposed mosque is being identified and a few locations in the outskirts of the city have been chosen.

At present, Delhi's Jama Masjid, commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and completed in 1656, is India's largest mosque.