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Zebun Nessa Mosque one of Time's world's greatest places

Published : Saturday, 22 March, 2025 at 12:00 AM  Count : 558
Mahmuda Begum Sinthia
The recognition of the Zebun Nessa Mosque as one of the World's Greatest Places, 2025 is a significant achievement for Bangladesh, reflecting the country's rich heritage and architectural prowess. It is a matter of great joy and profound pride for Bangladesh that the Zebun Nessa Mosque has acquired a prestigious place on Time's list of the World's Greatest Places 2025. The mosque is situated at Ashulia, Bangladesh and covers an area of 6060 square feet and was completed in 2023. In Islamic world, Bangladesh is well known for its rich architectural heritage and significantly it once again has given its mark on the global stage.

From the very early days of Islamic civilization, the mosque has been the center of social life, culture, and religion. The mosque is a fundamentally important place of worship and a form of art and history. As artifacts of high architecture it serves as venues for multi-culture, skill, and regional materials. Therefore, mosques have been integral to the Islamic world, serving not only as places of worship but also as traditional, historical, and architectural masterpieces. In the Islamic world they showcase a rich architectural art and diversity, reflecting regional materials, techniques, and cultural influences. The Suleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, is a fine example of Ottoman architecture, which exhibits enormous domes and a minaret, characteristic to that part of the world. The Jameh Mosque in Isfahan, Iran, with its inventive architectural grandeur consists of four courtyards and is an outstanding example of Islamic architecture.

The mosques of Bangladesh serve as much more than a place of worship; they equally are heritage sites and architectural epitomes which depict the country's rich Islamic tradition. The Zebun Nessa Mosque, with its unique blend of traditional and modern architectural elements, represents a continuation of this tradition. It serves as a symbol of the country's ability to adapt and evolve while maintaining its true identity. Even Bangladesh has a long Islamic history of architectural achievements, with structures like the Lalbagh Fort and the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque being prominent examples. The inclusion of the Zebun Nessa Mosque on Time's list underscores the country's continued commitment to preserving its cultural identity while embracing modernity.

The inclusion of the Zebun Nessa Mosque in Ashulia, Bangladesh, on Time's prestigious list of the World's Greatest Places 2025 is a spectacular to the nation's architectural prowess and its ability to create spaces that inspire and uplift. This recognition not only highlights the beauty and significance of the mosque but also underscores Bangladesh's growing influence in the global cultural landscape. This also served to showcase Banladesh's rising status on the global scene. The mosque was designed by the head architect at Studio Morphogenesis Ltd, Saiqa Iqbal Meghna, who teaches architecture in BRAC University. She is known internationally for her outstanding design of the Zebun Nessa Mosque in Ashulia, Bangladesh.

The Zebun Nessa Mosque draws inspiration from several traditional mosque architectural styles, particularly those found in the Middle East and South Asia. Ottoman Influential architecture is prominently displayed. The use of arches, such as the wide arched opening for the qibla, is reminiscent of Ottoman and Persian architecture, which often featured grand arches to define spaces and create grand entrances.

The Zebun Nessa Mosque draws inspiration from a variety of traditional mosque architecture styles, particularly those used in the Middle East and South Asia. One of the defining characteristics of Ottoman influential architecture is prominently showcased. The use of arches, such as the large arched entrance of the qibla, has a reminiscent tone for Ottoman and Persian architecture, which used to feature large arches to mark off spaces and produce grand entrances.Even the incorporation of latticework-style perforations in the walls is a nod to Persian mosques' intricate geometric shapes and ventilation systems.


The wall perforations are based onIslamic latticework of earlier days and provide stylistic and practical benefits with natural light and air. It incorporatesa unique translucent glass mihrab alongwith women's spaces, extending its socialand religious use. Like other classical mosques, the Zebun Nessa Mosque features a mihrab, a qibla wall in the direction of Mecca, which is a fundamental element of Islamic architecture. Apparently the Zebun Nessa Mosque conforms to thearchitectural style of old mosque architecture. Integration of classicalelements like old mosques, it haselements that connect human beings with nature and divinity. However, it modernizes these elements using modern materials. Then, symbolic use of color like the use of earthy tones, i.e.,pink color, representing traditional terracotta and mud houses were a partof ancient South Asian and Middle Eastern mosques and were in vogue as traditional Islamic architecture. It givesan air of religious tranquility and also creates a warm and friendly ambiance. Notably, Persian, Indo-Mughal architecture is incorporated in the mosque. Traditional ancient mosques, like Byzantine and Sassanian-influencedmosques, used to be social centers. This is sustained at the Zebun Nessa Mosque by its facilitation of space for communal activity and religious gathering.

The mosque's architecture makes it possible for it to accommodate large groups of people, so it is an appropriate venue for communal gatherings and celebrations. This aspect highlights the mosque as a social center by fostering community spirit and social integration of the residents. The mosque has well-plannedareas for women, which is not commonlyfound in orthodox mosques. It has a crescent-shaped top floor for women to meet and pray. The Zebun Nessa Mosque makes sure women have a glaring and accessible prayer and meeting area. This provides a sense of inclusiveness and involvement. The gallery of the women, accessible via an artistic stairway, isutilized Further, it acts as a place of various religious prayerful events in the year, enriching the Islamic heritage of Bangladesh. Just like the Persian and Ottoman mosques, which most often incorporated gardens and waterbodies, Zebun Nessa Mosque too has a reflectionwaterbodyand landscape sceneries sothat it could seamlessly integratespirituality with nature to upgrade thedevotional experience of the believers. While the initial mosques made use ofstones and terracotta, modern mosques like Zebun Nessa used steel and glass tooffer more functionality as well as sustainability just as the earliest buildersmade space for developing technologies. Architecture for the mosque makes useof a riverside location and has a calmingatmosphere that blends with nature. The glazed glass mihrab and openings make this compatibility by framing view of the waterbody.

The Zebun Nessa Mosque differs from contemporary mosques, embracing abstract Islamic architectural designs. It contains unique features, shapes,prioritising functionality alongside aesthetics. It stands as a spiritual complex of tranquility and solace. It embodies the essence of Islamic architecture while incorporating a masterful blend of traditional and contemporary styles, and creating a unique aesthetic. It resonates with both locals and international visitors.

Bangladesh's appearance on Time's list of the World's Greatest Places 2025 with the Zebun Nessa Mosque is a countrymilestone, indicating that Bangladeshtakes pride in its heritage and architecture.The award not only marks the beauty and significance of the mosque but also thegrowing global influence of Bangladesh.

With the nation still expanding and developing its heritage sites, it is poised to become a major tourist destination,which will spur its economic growth and solidify its position as a heritage-conscious nation. It is thus important that tourism growth be harmonized with the preservation of the mosque's spiritual and heritage significance. The designation of the Zebun Nessa Mosque as one of the World's Greatest Places 2025 will have a strong influence on Bangladesh's tourism sector. In addition, this can be done through the adoption of sustainable tourism principles that honorthe site's core function as a place of worship. Efforts need to be taken to inform visitors about the mosque's history and significance, encouraging respectful behavior and minimizing the effects of tourism on the surroundingenvironment. Also, any development or renovation activity should be carried out in a manner that is sensitive to the architectural status and historic value of the mosque. The addition of the Zebun Nessa Mosque to Time's World's Greatest Places 2025 list is a matter of pride for Bangladesh, demonstrating the nation's architectural prowess and recognising heritage. With the continued growth ofthe tourism sector in Bangladesh and itspromotion of its heritage destinations, the country stands to become one of thelargest architectural heritage tourism destinations globally. This admiration not only celebrates the beauty of the mosque but also signifies the importance of preserving heritage masterpiece for the future generations.

The writer is a teacher, Imperial Int'l School, Dhaka



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