The Emir of Zazzau in Kaduna, Ambassador Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli has lauded the Chairman of Bua group and founder of AsR Africa ,Alh Abdulsamad Rabiu for donating the sum of N2bn for the reconstruction of the collapsed 187 years old Zaria mosque known as ‘Abdulkarim Central mosque’ located in the ancient city of Zaria.
He made this known during the groundbreaking ceremony held at the emir’s Palace on Sunday.
The Emir noted, “Today, we stand a pivotal moment in our history, marked by both sorrow and hope as we gather for the groundbreaking ceremony of the reconstruction of the Mal Abdulkarim Central mosque.
“This historic mosque built in the 1830s, has long served a beacon of faith community, and resilience. Yet, we are painfully reminded of the tragic your when the mosque collapsed a calamity that took 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 honour the memories of those we lose. They shall forever remain in our hearts, and their legacy will inspire us to create a that not only honours their memory but also provides a save heaven for future generations.
“This decision to demolished the old mosque was one that weighed heavily upon us. It was not made lightly, but we had no option. The safety of lives is our top priority. We recognised that to protect our community, we had to take this hard step. Your well-being and security have always been at the forefront of our thoughts and actions.
“I would also like to express my deepest appreciation to a few key individuals who have dedicated their time and resources to this project.
“Firstly, a monumental thank you to the former Vice President, Arc Mohammed Namadi Sambo, GCON, who graciously chaired the technical committee. His unwavering commitment and tireless efforts alongside his team have been instrumental in bringing us to this day.
“A big thank you is also due to the former Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and his team. His leadership as the chair of the fundraising committee has been crucial in rallying support for this important cause.
Additionally,” I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to Chief Launcher Abdulsamad Rabiu, the Chairman of the Abdul Samad Rabiu Foundation and President of BUA Group. His substantial initial contribution of two billion naira has been vital, and we are uplifted by his generosity as he has now taken over the project financing through ASR foundation along other sponsors including the good people of Zaria and Nigeria at large.
In his address, the the chairman of BUA group ,Alh Abdulsamad Rabiu noted that, “This architectural edifice was initially built in 1836 and was a testament of the rich history and architectural heritage of the region.
“Upon the collapse on August 10th, 2023, ASR Africa, which is my foundation took up the reconstruction of the mosque to give a new significance to the region.
” The mosque will accommodate a total of 2,000 worshippers on two floors, with a large courtyard space accommodating an extra 5,000 worshippers.
“Other facilities will include an ablution area, a library, ICT center office spaces to provide administrative support to the mosque.
