RAWALPINDI: Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) Chairman Tariq Mehmood Murtaza on Friday inaugurated a rainwater harvesting project at a mosque in Asghar Mall Scheme.

Rawalpindi is the second city in Punjab where the system is being installed, he said, adding, RDA has started recycling of used water in this mosque with support from United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as water in a large quantity is required at mosques.

The mosque is being expanded, he said, adding rainwater will be used for washing and cleaning of the mosque, ablution and so on. Water used for ablution will be poured on plants and grass at the park in front of the mosque.

More than 300 worshippers, he said, perform ablution every day while 4,000 worshippers visit for Friday prayers, adding every man uses 5 to 7 litres of water during ablution which can now be made usable instead of wasting it.

Speaking on the occasion, Prayer Leader Maulana Sirajuddin thanked Mr Murtaza and said water is a blessing from God and RDA’s initiative is a significant step towards the service of humanity.

UNDP Research Officer Waqas Khan, RDA Deputy Director Engineering Azeezullah, Deputy Director Finance Mohammad Junaid Taj Bhatti, Maulana Chiraguddin and others were present at the inauguration.

Published in Dawn, January 2nd, 2021