Faisal Mosque Islamabad

The impetus for the mosque started in 1966 when King Faisal bin Abdul-Aziz showed his support towards the initiative of the Pakistani Government to build a national mosque in Islamabad during an official visit to Pakistan.An international competition in 1969  was held in which 43 proposals we're submitted by 17  architectures and winning design was that of architect Vedat Dalokay. Construction of the mosque began in 1976 by National Construction of Pakistan and was led by Azim Khan and funded by the government of Saudi Arabia, at a cost of over 130 million Saudi riyals (approximately 120 million USD  today). King Faisal bin Abdul Aziz was instrumental in the funding, and both the mosque and the road leading to it were named after him after his assassination in 1975. The mosque was completed in 1986, and used to house the International Islamic University. Many conservative Muslims criticised the design at first for its unconventional design and lack of a traditional dome structure, but most criticism ended when the completed mosque's scale, form, and setting against the Margalla Hills became evident.

It was an overcast day, with a slight drizzle. The clouds were hanging low, hiding the top of Margalla hills. As I drove towards E-8 sector, the mosque appeared at the horizon and kept growing bigger till we were in the vast parking lot.
I was taken aback by its unique architecture that is shaped like a Bedouin tent. Its Turkish architect, Vedat Dalokay, thought it would capture the eye of the judges in 1979, a time when Pakistan was going the Arab way and it did work.

I then went into the courtyard and was amazed at the lavish spending on pure white marble tiles, electric fittings, water fountains, gold plated metal objects, carpets, chandeliers’ and lighting. I was told there was a madrassa in the mosque as well.

The inner sanctum of the mosque was unlike anything I had seen in Pakistan. 40 m high roof, tapered on top, balconies on the side, column-less main hall and tall windows.
However, It showed me something I didn't want to believe at first, But reality is far from what I believe
How could such a beautiful mosque, worth millions to make and much more to maintain lay host to beggers, the sick and the homeless. It was there when I realized. Religion and faith are not signified by mosques and gold plated Qurans. They are signified by our actions, our morals and us.Where was God when his house was being made while his people perished right underneath it?

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