DUSHANBE, July 20, 2016, Asia-Plus /Payrav Chorshanbiyev/ -- Construction of Central Asia’s largest mosque is nearing completion in Dushanbe.

In a report released at a news conference in Dushanbe, the head of the Committee for Architecture and Construction under the Government of Tajikistan, Jamshed Ahmadzoda, noted on July 20 that construction of Central Cathedral Mosque will be completed in Dushanbe by the end of this month.  

We will recall that President Emomali Rahmon began construction of Central Asia’s largest mosque not far from downtown Dushanbe in October 2011, a month after officially raising the country’s flag on the world’s tallest unsupported flagpole in Dushanbe.

The mosque will be able to accommodate up to 115,000 worshipers.  When completed, Tajikistan will be home to the Central Asian largest mosque, dwarfing the Turkmenbashi mosque in neighboring Turkmenistan, which can hold 10,000 people.

Critics are saying the mosque is an extravagance and that the money would be better spent on poverty reduction.

Meanwhile, Ahmadzoda noted that the project for construction of a new building for the Tajik Islamic University would be completed before the end of this year.  “The new building will be able to accommodate 1,500 students,” Tajik official said.