QUETTA: On a regular afternoon, the pristine white dome glistens as it basks in the rays of the sunlight. Behind it stand four smaller domes, constructed above towering minarets. Hundreds of worshippers amble into the sprawling place, eager to offer their prayers during the holy month of Ramadan in Quetta’s largest mosque. 

Located in Jinnah Town of Pakistan’s southwestern Quetta city, Jamia Masjid is built on a massive 60,000 square feet of land. The mosque sees an influx of worshippers during the holy month of Ramadan in which Muslims fast from dawn till dusk, engaging in increased religious observances. 

“Thousands of people from all across the city, even Kuchlak, (an area on Quetta’s outskirts) come here to pray and remember Allah Almighty,” Syed Bahadur, a resident of Killi Barat neighborhood in Quetta who came to offer the weekly Friday prayers, told Arab News.

“But in Ramadan, the mosque remains full of devotees.”

Jamia Masjid’s construction began in 2006 with contributions from residents of the upscale Jinnah Town area in 2006 and was completed in 2008. The five-domed mosque attracts people from all over the city who not only offer prayers at its expansive halls and courtyard but also marvel at its imposing structure. 

A giant, glistening chandelier hanging from the huge domed ceiling greets worshippers as soon as they enter Jamia Masjid’s massive prayer hall. A colorful glass artwork depicting the Grand Mosque in Makkah and Al-Masjid Al-Nabawi, the Prophet’s Mosque in Medinah, draws the attention of the worshippers to it. The prayer hall alone can accommodate 1,500 people. 

Bahadur said the mosque sees even more worshippers during the last 10 days of Ramadan when many Muslims take part in the itikaf worship. The practice involves secluding oneself in a mosque during the last ten days of the holy month to dedicate that time to worship, prayer, reflection, and seeking closeness to God.

Hassan Sheikh, one of the members of the mosque’s organizing committee, told Arab News the inspiration for the mosque’s design was sought from “impressive” mosques around the world. 

“We did seek inspiration from some impressive mosques from around the world, including some from the Gulf countries,” Sheikh said. 

Quetta’s largest mosque was not completed in a day. Bahadur recalled a time when Jamia Mosque was just a small place of worship made from mud. 

“Now, the mosque can accommodate more than 4,500 devotees for regular prayers,” Sheikh said proudly.