Adina Mosque

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Adina Mosque was the largest mosque in medieval times in Bengal. It was the largest among all of the mosques in the Indian subcontinent.

[edit] Establishment

Adina Mosqu was built in 1373 by Sultan Sikandar Shah, son of Iliyas Shah in Sylhet, Bangladesh.

Sikandar Shah graw as Khalifa of the faithful. This mosque shows his power and wealth. Needless to say, a sultan who could compare himself with the Khalifas of Damascus, Baghdad, Cordova or Cairo could also erect a mosque comparable in size and grandeur to the great mosques of those capitals.

[edit] Comparison

It is curious that the Adina Mosque compares with the mosques of those cities not only in size, but also in plan and standardisation; in fact, it rivals the masterpieces of the world.

A mosque described as 'standard', requires a vast rectangular plan with an open courtyard (sahn) surrounded by cloisters (riwaqs) on three sides and the prayer chamber (zullah) towards the Qibla, Kaaba. The Adina Mosque conforms to all these principles, and hence is a standard type of mosque.

It is considered as a part of not only Muslim Heritage, but also World Heritage.