Site area (sqm): 477 sqm

Entry plaza: 95 sqm

Main Prayer Hall: 177 sqm
Landscape area: 200 sqm
Temporary Ablution space: 5 sqm
Client: Mahbubul Alam
Year: 2012-2014

It was intended to design a Socio-cultural landmark for the village of Mohor para, which is associated with
the needs and ambition of the client and the community. The client’s aspiration was not only to serve the
community in the enlightenment of Islam, but also to present them a socio-cultural space to congregate,
where the Mosque was the impetus of development. He wanted to build a mosque rooted to tradition yet
contemporary in material and technology, so that the village dwellers move forth intellectually and
spiritually. In this era of misconception of Islam, the respected client wanted to manifest true Islamic
ideology and education to become more sympathetic to all religion. So he covets the expansion of the
mosque platform with the provision for a library, research center, gallery (on northern side within school)
and Maktab for elders (on southern side) in future.

THE RURAL LANTERN

Bangladesh is a deltaic plane dotted with many Mosques from various Architectural Style Period, mostly
Pre-Mughal and Mughal. The Mohorpara Mosque is a contemporary endeavor to commemorate those
traditional design in local context.

The Mosque is conceived as a ‘rural lantern’ amidst the exuberant greenery illuminating Mohorpara and
beyond with its spiritual guidance and omnipresence. The white radiant façade bold yet sublime adjures
the worshippers and passersby throughout the day. During Night the transparency of the mosque acts as
a lantern against darkness and calls for submission to the Almighty. The white mosque became innate
part of landscape as well as the landform, whereas the traditional mosques floating amidst lush green
with the glimpse of red bricks or lime plaster.

Pre-Mughal and Mughal Mosques were collectively small in scale yet monumental in essence. The
Mohorpara Mosque translates the traditional lofty prayer halls and fore room (iwan) arched facades of the
old mosques in Bengals by its contemporary rhetoric. The interweaving curves being detached from each
other creates a progressive vista of oneness, resembling a pointed arch yet connected only in spatial-
temporal-visual field. It represents the abstract connection between believers and the Creator; Their faith
in the unseen and Omnipotent amidst the rural setting.

ARTICULATION

The pointed arch replaced by half curved lines creating an illusion of arches. These half arches diffuse
the exterior light at day time and creates a pleasant ambience. On the contrary the half arches deflects
light at night and acts as a lantern.

The premise is naturally ventilated. The wide open windows on North-South façade ensures prevailing
wind circulation. The hot air rises to the ceiling and a mechanical exhaust fan keeps the air circulating.
The Mihrab niche has been also transformed to reflect the light from the sides.

THE NEW VILLAGE ARENA | AMBIT

The Mohorpara Mosque has drawn certain attention within the Narshingdi Shibpur region by its
communal service to people. During the regional Tablighi congregation period, Mohor Para mosque
becomes a station point for the travelling Tablighs.
Weekly Friday prayer (Jummah ) has become a ceremonial activity in the area. An Imam comes from
Dhaka to deliver Khutba (Islamic preaching) every Friday. People from close community joins the Friday
prayer particularly to attend the Khutba by the humble Imam.The Mosque also provides potable water to
the school children, the mosque users and the passersby.

According to the client the white Mohorpara Mosque has an impact on the local users. They have become
more aware about the cleanliness and hygiene. They try to keep It auspicious and pure like the colour
white.

It has become a village center to gather. The low height walls around the mosque encourages the users
and locals to sit and chat animatedly. The future extension of Islamic center is anticipated by the village
dwellers.

LANDSCAPE

Native trees like Chhatim (Alstonia scholaris) is planted for its seasonal white small flowers with aroma
and beautiful leaves formation. In traditional Bengali villages territory is defined by planting Betel nuts
trees (Areca catechu). Here this arboriculture has been followed and Betel nuts are planted along the
northern side. It’s an extension of the surrounding plantations to enhance bio-diversity.
Hardscape consists of hollow permeable pavers, infiltrating rain water for greener environment.