A piece of Persia in India to be renovated

The picturesque Masjid-e-Iranian in India, commonly known as Mughal Masjid, is set to be renovated by Iranian hand-made tiles.

The mosque, located in Indian city of Mumbai will see new hand-made tiles coming from Iran for restoration.

"The renovation will take place in two phases. Right now, we are still in the first phase. We are working on the inner part of the gate of the mosque and the hall inside the mosque premises," said Ali Namazi, Honorary Secretary of Haji Mohammed Husain Shirazi Charity Mosque Trust, who has the custodianship of the over 150-year-old mosque.

Erected in 1860, the mosque was made by Iranian merchant, Haji Mohammed Husain Shirazi, who came to India and the awe-inspiring structure is still run by Iranians living in the country.

During the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar Muharram, the mosque hosts prominent speakers and is a hub of activities and mourning ceremony for the Muslim Imam, Imam Hussein (AS).

"This is the first time since the 1990s--when major renovations were undertaken--that we are renovating the mosque," Namazi noted, adding, however, that the renovation process will not fix outer tiles of the main mosque structure.

AG/AG