CHITRAL: The Shahi Masjid of Chitral, which was constructed by ruler Shujaul Mulk of Katoor dynasty, is going to complete 100 years of its construction in July this year.

The Katoor dynasty ruled the then Chitral state from 1896 to 1936.

Situated near the royal fort on the bank of Chitral River, the mosque gives a spectacular view as this iconic white structure adorned by tall chinar trees on its three sides can be seen from any part of the Chitral town.

Five snow white domes, one each on all four sides with a larger one in the centre on the front side coupled with two minarets of about 120 feet each gives the mosque a distinctive look.

The mosque’s hall is delicately decorated with murals and hanging lamps.

The hall can accommodate about 3,000 worshipers at a time with additional space available in the garden attached to one of its entrance gates.

Maulana Khaleequz Zaman, the khateeb of the mosque, told Dawn that its construction began in 1919 and completed in 1924. He said masons with experience of Mughal architecture were hired from Lahore.

He said the mosque was a miniature model of Lahore’s Badshahi Masjid and was the first building of its kind in Chitral, where red sandstones and marble were used.

He said the education department had also been running a seminary in the spacious mosque since 1950s.

Maulana Khaleeq said the 100-year glory of the mosque had left a deep imprint in the history of modern Chitral, and the people had attachment to it.

Even after the merger of the state of Chitral with Pakistan as one of its districts in 1969, the elders of the royal family kept on managing the affairs of the mosque through a committee consisting of local notables.

In 1980, then military ruler Gen Ziaul Haq provided grant-in-aid for the mosque during his visit to Chitral, and the funds were used to purchase commercial lands, ensuring a regular income accrued from the rent.

Published in Dawn, April 16th, 2024