Jamiul Futuh

Jamiul Futuh
Jamiul Futuh
ഇന്ത്യൻ ഗ്രാൻഡ് മസ്‍ജിദ്
	The Jamiul Futuh at night
Religion
Affiliation	Sunni Islam
Rite	Shafi‘i
Ecclesiastical or organizational status	Mosque
Leadership	Dr. Muhammed Abdul Hakkim Azhari (imam)
Status	Active
Location
Location	Markaz Knowledge City, Calicut, Kozhikode district, Kerala
Country	India
	Location of the mosque in Kerala
Geographic coordinates	11°28′20″N 76°00′27″E / 11.472282°N 76.007563°E
Architecture
Architects	Ar Darvish Kareem; Ar Ahammed Aflah;
Type	Mosque architecture
Style	Indo-Saracenic Revival
Founder	Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad; (the Grand Mufti of India);
Groundbreaking	2011
Completed	2022
Construction cost	₹400 million
Specifications
Capacity	c. 25,000 worshipers
Length	420 m (1,380 ft)
Width	290 m (950 ft)
Interior area	60,900 m2 (655,000 sq ft)
Domes	17 domes; 3 sizes
Dome height (outer)	85 m (279 ft)
Dome dia. (outer)	32.2 m (106 ft)
Minaret	Five
Minaret height	107 m (351 ft)
Site area	5.3 ha (13 acres)
Website
	jamiulfutuh.com

The Jamiul Futuh, officially known as the Jāmi'ul Futūh, and also known as The Indian Grand Masjid and the Shahre Mubarak Grand Mosque, is a Shafi‘i Sunni mosque, located in Markaz Knowledge City, in the Kozhikode district of the state of Kerala, in the south of India. It is the largest mosque in Kerala and can accommodate up to 25000 worshippers. The congregation was founded by Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, the Grand Mufti of India, and welcomed its first visitors in September 2022.

The congregation is led my Imam Dr. Muhammed Abdul Hakkim Azhari.^[1]

Overview

The Jāmi'ul Futūh is an architectural masterpiece that stands as a tribute to India's rich culture and heritage, showcasing the captivating Indo-Saracenic Revival architectural style. Jamiul Futuh provides a spiritual haven where Muslims can worship, fostering a sense of unity and devotion. The grounds of Jami'ul Futuh also contain a madrasa, that provides a centre of education and a variety of Islamic courses and classes to enhance the knowledge and understanding of Islam among both children and adults.

The mosque has influences of Abbasid, Mughal, Moroccan, and Ottoman architectural elements, and it follows the green building concept. Jami'ul Futuh is a spiritual enclave that falls under the meta-project Malabar Cultural Center, that combines a research library, the Office of the Grand Mufti of India, and a cultural heritage museum.^[2] The building site covers three point six hectares (nine acres) and is surrounded by a 1.6-hectare (4-acre) green belt and a 6,700-square-metre (72,000 sq ft) rooftop garden.

The mosque grounds contain a relic, believed by Muslims to be a hair of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. The name of the mosque comes from the Arabic word shahre, meaning hair, and mubarak, meaning blessed.

Founder

Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad is a highly respected Islamic scholar and community leader, pivotal in the growth and development of the Muslim community in Kerala, India. His distinguished service includes holding the position of General Secretary of the All-India Muslim Scholars Association and serving as the Chancellor of Jamia Markazu Ssaquafathi Ssunniyya, a prominent Islamic university in South India. A core focus of Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad's life has been promoting Islamic education and working to improve the socio-economic status of Muslims in India. He is also a vocal advocate for interfaith dialogue, actively encouraging understanding and cooperation among diverse communities. Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad is a prolific author, having written approximately 60 books on a variety of religious and social subjects, and is regarded as an eminent scholar of Islamic jurisprudence. His substantial contributions to the Muslim community in Kerala and internationally have garnered him immense respect.^[3]

Architecture

Jamiul Futuh stands as a magnificent architectural landmark, renowned for its profound historical and cultural value. The mosque exemplifies the Indo-Saracenic Islamic architectural style and is counted among India's largest mosques. The architecture harmoniously fuses traditional and contemporary styles, resulting in a unique and striking aesthetic. The main entrance is impressive, featuring exquisite white and gold artistic details welcoming visitors. The mosque is distinguished by four main large gates, named the Makkah Gate, Madinah Gate, Yamani Gate, and Shami Gate. Additionally, there are nine entrance doors, known as Babu'l-Fath, Babu's-Salam, Babu't-Tawbah, Babu's-Safaa, Babu'l-Ihsan, Babu't-Taqwa, and Babu'r-Rahma. The mosque's beauty is enhanced by Indo-Arabian domes, giving Jamiul Futuh a glorious external appearance. The interior is equally stunning, featuring four pillars dedicated to the names of the four great Imams: Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Malik bin Anas, Imam Shafi'i, and Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal. The central dome's rotunda is adorned with Quranic verses, including passages from **Surah Al-Muzzammil, Surah Al-Fath, Ayah Al-Kursi, and the ayah "Innallaha wa malaaikathahu". The Mihrab (Pulpit) is a masterpiece of design, featuring a depiction of a green plant with the 'Asmaul Husna' (the divine names of Allah) inscribed on its leaves. A distinct feature of the mosque is the raised Azan chamber positioned opposite the pulpit. Furthermore, calligraphy art featuring the names of Allah, Prophet Muhammad (s), Abubakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali, and Fatima graces the inner hall. The architecture of Jamiul Futuh is truly exceptional and has established the mosque as an iconic symbol of Malabar's diverse cultural heritage. Its distinctive combination of traditional and modern design elements highlights the mosque's rich history and importance, making it a highly recommended site for both local residents and tourists.^[4]