DUSHANBE, October 5, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- A groundbreaking ceremony for construction of Central Asia’s largest mosque in Dushanbe was held in the Tajik capital today morning, according to presidential press service.

7.5 hectares of lands have been allotted for construction of this mosque near the settlement of Luchob in Dushanbe.

The foundation stone of the mosque was laid by President Emomali Rahmon.  Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, President Rahmon congratulated Tajik people on this important event and noted that due to the country’s independence people have been returning to studying sources of their religion and its values.  

As it had been reported earlier, President Emomali Rahmon attended a ceremony of presentation of the project for construction of this mosque that was held in Dubai on September 26.

The project will be implemented by the company Adnan Saffarini from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) under financial support of Qatar.  The mosque that will be built on the Karamov Street is expected to be finished in five years.

Besides the prayer halls, the mosque will have library, museum as well as reception and conference halls.  While working out the design, specialists took into consideration features of Tajik national architecture.