By Mercy Aikoye
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Uba Sani, were among the prominent dignitaries who attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the reconstruction of the historic Mallam AbdulKarim mosque in Zaria on Sunday.
The well-attended event brought together top government functionaries, including the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, and former Governor of Kaduna State, Ramalan Yero, as well as serving members of the National Assembly.
Built in 1836, the ancient mosque collapsed on August 11, 2023, while worshippers were praying, resulting in the loss of six lives and injuries to others.
Speaking at the event, Speaker Abbas highlighted the significance of the ancient mosque and the need to reconstruct it. He described the occasion as historic, marking the second time in 183 years that Zaria would witness the groundbreaking ceremony of the mosque.
Abbas emphasized that the mosque, when completed, would likely be the largest in Northern Nigeria and possibly one of the biggest in West Africa. He, however, noted that there was a challenge, as the project’s completion period of 18 months was contingent on generating enough funds.
The Speaker, who holds the traditional title of Iyan Zazzau, thanked Nigerians who had responded to calls for assistance in the reconstruction project. He revealed that the funds generated so far would only cover about 50-60% of the project cost.
Abbas appealed to wealthy individuals to donate generously to ensure the project’s completion. Governor Sani also appreciated the donations made so far, particularly by billionaire businessman Abdulsamad Rabiu and Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal.
The Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Bamali, thanked former Vice President Namadi Sambo and immediate past Governor of Kaduna State Nasir El-Rufai for their roles in ensuring the commencement of the reconstruction.
The Emir described the decision to pull down the ancient mosque as painful but necessary, citing expert advice that repairing the old structure would not have been sufficient. He noted that the mosque had collapsed twice after the first incident.
Governor Sani had provided financial assistance to victims of the tragedy, compensated owners of affected buildings, and ensured the provision of access roads. The Emir praised the governor’s commitment, which had made a significant difference in actualizing the desire to begin the reconstruction.
The reconstruction project aims to create a modern mosque that will serve as a sanctuary for prayer and reflection, embodying the rich history of Zazzau while embracing advancements.
The historic mosque, once completed, will feature modern facilities, including a dedicated ablution area, library, ICT center, and administrative offices.
The event marked a significant moment in the history of Zaria, as it gathered prominent individuals to honor the memories of those lost and take steps to ensure the foundations of society endure.
The reconstruction of the Mallam AbdulKarim mosque is a testament to the community’s resilience and commitment to preserving its cultural heritage.
