One of the largest mosques ever built is to be constructed in Tajikistan`s capital by 2014 with the assistance of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, a Tajik presidential spokesman said on Monday.

"The mosque is expected to accommodate about 150,000 people. Its construction is expected to start in Dushanbe in October," the spokesman said.

He said Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon visited Dubai on Saturday, after his speech at the 64th session of the UN General Assembly, in order to familiarize himself with the project.

The building, which is to reflect characteristics of Tajik national architecture, will occupy 7.5 hectares (18.5 acres) in the center of Dushanbe, the spokesman said.

"The mosque will be decorated with a majestic minaret, seven painted columns, embodying the seven steps of God creating the world and the seven gates to paradise, as well as water reservoirs and fountains, bearing witness to Tajikistan as a country of pure waters," he said, adding the mosque is to be constructed within five years by the U.A.E. company Adnan Saffarini.

The spokesman said the project, which is to be financed by Qatar, is designed to be a large cultural and historic center of Islam, including not only a mosque, but also large halls where various scientific and cultural events, conferences and meetings, and high-level summits can be held. The grounds of the Islamic center are to copy the shape of Tajikistan`s territory, he said, adding it will also include a museum and a library.

Another building, expected to be constructed near the Islamic center, is intended to accommodate an Islamic university, the spokesman said.

The population of Tajikistan is more than 90% Muslim. There are 249 mosques and 18 Islamic educational institutions currently operating across Tajikistan.

However, Tajikistan is officially a secular state, with a constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion.
sections: World News