Rumors that serious shortcomings were allegedly made during the construction of Central Asia’s largest mosque in Dushanbe are absolutely unfounded, a reliable source told Asia-Plus in an interview.
According to him, a joint commission comprising experts from Tajikistan and Qatar has no significant comments on the construction of the mosque.
“Qatar Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has asked the Tajik authorities to allow him to participate in a ceremony of inauguration of the mosque and perform prayer in it together with Tajik worshipers,” said the source. “The exact date of the visit of Qatari Emir is currently being clarified through diplomatic channels.”
The construction of the Dushanbe Central Mosque, which is expected to be Central Asia’s largest mosque, has been completed and everyone is waiting for its opening.
Several thousand builders have been engaged in construction of this mosque.
President Emomali Rahmon began construction of this 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.
A total cost of the project is nearly 100 million U.S. dollars; more than half of this amount has reportedly been provided by Qatar.
The mosque is expected to be able to accommodate more than 100,000 worshipers. Tajikistan is now home to the Central Asian largest mosque, dwarfing the Turkmenbashi mosque in neighboring Turkmenistan, which can hold 10,000 people.