Eidgah with India's First Glass Mosque

India's First Glass Mosque inside Laban Eidgah Complex in Shillong

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, has the distinction of having India’s first glass mosque inside its Eidgah. Known as Scotland of the East for its scenic beauty, Shillong has less than 1 lakh Muslims but the three year old glass mosque has put the city famous among the believers all over the world.

Named as Medina Masjid, the glass mosque  is a four-storey building. It is 120 feet high and 61 feet wide and has been erected inside Laban Idgah complex .The mosque is also very close to  the garrison grounds along the Umshyrpi river and has a capacity to accommodate about 2000 devotees easily. The managing committee has also earmarked a separate place inside the mosque for the exclusive use of women.

In a bid to ensure optimum utilization of the newly built mosque, the committee also runs an orphanage under the name of Meherba, a well-stacked library and also a theological institute where comparative study of religions is also offered apart from the traditional Islamic teachings.

Prior to the construction of Medina Masjid, Shillong had six mosques. These mosques were located in  police Bazar, Laban, Laitumkhra, Garikhana, Bara Pathar and Jhalupara areas. The city also had two graveyards at Laban and Mawprem localities and a traditional Madarsa in Garikhana area. Among the mosques, Laban has traditionally been a significant place for the local Muslims because besides being a mosque it also served as Eidgah and graveyard.

In the wake of its traditional importance and popularity when the decision to erect in Shillong the first glass mosque of India was taken Laban Eidgah complex was selected as its location. Shillong was the capital of Assam till 1974 and its Muslim population of the town comprises of the Khasi, Assamese, Bengali, Hindi and Nepali speaking people. The history of Muslim settlements in Shillong dates back to 17^th century and the town has been an example of communal harmony.

It was the peaceful co-existence of Muslims and non-Muslims communities that prompted many a Hindus to lend a helping hand in the construction of Medina Masjid. The beauty of mosques is worth seeing at night when its glasswork glows and glitters. Built at a cost of about  Rs.2 Crore, the mosque took one and a half years in its completion and  open for public in 2012. Those who see  imposing and resplendent structure of glass dome and glass minarets of the mosque, describe it simply an architectural marvel.

This year too on Eid-ul-Fitr day witnessed the biggest congregation of devotees at Medina Masjid inside Laban Eidgah complex. It was reported that over 8000 devotees offered prayers. Ever since glass mosque has been constructed in Shillong, the number of devotees has been swelling tom offer Eid prayers there.