The Emir of Zazzau in Kaduna, Ambassador Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli, has commended Bua Group Chairman and AsR Africa Founder, Alh Abdulsamad Rabiu, for donating the sum of N2 billion for the reconstruction of the collapsed 187-year-old Zaria Mosque. old, known as 'Abdulkarim Central Mosque. ' located in the ancient city of Zaria.
He made this known during the inauguration ceremony held on Sunday at the Emir's Palace.
The Emir noted: “Today we find ourselves at a crucial moment in our history, marked by both pain and hope, as we gather for the inauguration ceremony of the reconstruction of the central mosque of Mal Abdulkarim.
“This historic mosque built in the 1830s has long been a beacon of community faith and resilience. However, we are painfully reminded of how tragic it was when the mosque collapsed, a calamity that claimed precious lives and shook the very foundations of our society.
“As we embark on this new journey of rebuilding, I want to take a moment to honor the memories of those we lose. They will always remain in our hearts and their legacy will inspire us to create a place that not only honors their memory but also provides a safe haven for future generations.
“This decision to demolish the old mosque weighed heavily on us. It was not something that was done lightly, but we had no choice. Safety of lives is our top priority. We recognized that to protect our community, we had to take this difficult step. Your well-being and safety have always been at the forefront of our thoughts and actions.
“I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to some key people who have dedicated their time and resources to this project.
“Firstly, a monumental thank you to former Vice President, Arc Mohammed Namadi Sambo, GCON, who graciously chaired the technical committee. His unwavering commitment and tireless efforts along with his team have been essential to get him to this day.
“We also thank former Governor Nasir El-Rufai and his team. His leadership as chair of the fundraising committee has been crucial in building support for this important cause.
Furthermore,” I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Chief Pitcher Abdulsamad Rabiu, Chairman of the Abdul Samad Rabiu Foundation and Chairman of the BUA Group. Your initial significant contribution of two billion naira has been vital, and we are encouraged by your generosity as you have now taken over the funding of the project through the ASR foundation along with other sponsors including the good people of Zaria and Nigeria in general.
In his speech, the Chairman of the BUA group, Alh Abdulsamad Rabiu, noted that “this architectural building was initially built in 1836 and was a testimony to the rich history and architectural heritage of the region.
“Following the collapse of August 10, 2023, ASR Africa, which is my foundation, undertook the reconstruction of the mosque to give new meaning to the region.
The mosque will have capacity for a total of 2,000 worshipers on two floors, with a large courtyard able to accommodate an additional 5,000 worshippers.
“Other facilities will include a toilet area, a library and ICT center office spaces to provide administrative support to the mosque.