Place of worship
Baitur Rauf Jame Mosque
2 locals recommend
Tips from locals
Jamshyd
December 20, 2019
The Bait Ur Rouf Mosque (Bengali: বায়তুর রউফ জামে মসজিদ, Arabic: الجامع بيت الرؤوف) is a distinctive urban mosque located in an economically-challenged area of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Designed by Bangladeshi architect Marina Tabassum and completed in 2012, it has been called a refuge of spirituality in urban Dhaka and received recognition for its beautiful use of natural light and for challenging the status quo of traditional mosque design. Instead of traditional symbolism such as domes and minarets, the mosque relies on open space and the rich interplay of light and shadow to create a prayer space that elevates the spirit. The mosque was designed by Marina Tabassum, a female architect from Bangladesh. Known for designing the Museum of Independence in Dhaka, she is recognized as one of the country's top architects and one of only a few women architects in the country. Tabassum visited more than 100 mosques before designing Bait Ur Rouf Mosque, despite having hardly ever entered a mosque previously. Bangladesh's rich mosque-building history dates back to the 13th century's Turkish invasion. The earliest mosques incorporated elements from local building traditions, such as small domes that span the roof and brick walls. The building is located in a flood-prone area,and is designed along an axis angled 13 degrees to the Qibla direction. This allowed the designer to rotate the prayer hall to the correct direction and created light courts on four sides with room for other functions. The mosque's prayer hall has no columns inside, instead relying on eight peripheral columns for support. Dozens of random, circular openings in the ceiling and walls allow natural light to enter the building, creating shifting patterns of light and shadow to enhance the spiritual atmosphere. The small-footprint, one-storey building has no domes, minarets, or decorative panels, and fits in with its surroundings. Handmade terracotta brick walls provide natural ventilation, helping keep the building cool even on hot days. Without using the usual mosque symbolism, the architect created a space of spirituality with simplicity and the use of natural light prompting deep reflection and contemplation in prayer. The building cost Sh 15 million and took five years to construct. Construction finished in 2012.
The Bait Ur Rouf Mosque (Bengali: বায়তুর রউফ জামে মসজিদ, Arabic: الجامع بيت الرؤوف) is a distinctive urban mosque located in an economically-challenged area of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Designed by Bangladeshi architect Marina Tabassum and completed in 2012, it has been called a refuge of spirituality in…
Location
ঢাকা, ঢাকা বিভাগ