Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Ahmed Zahir has stated a temporary mosque will be built in the premises of Zikra Mosque.
Islamic ministry had made an announcement seeking a contractor to build the temporary mosque for the month of Ramadan. Speaking to PSM News, the Islamic minister said the project will be handed over to a state-owned enterprise if a contractor cannot be found.
The previous administration had demolished the mosque to develop a new 10-storey mosque. A contract was signed in 2018 but an audit report later showed the contract involved acts of corruption. The project has since been at a standstill although the previous administration paid a contractor USD 1.9 million to complete the project.
Last week, a petition with 1,000 signatures was submitted to the Islamic ministry, highlighting the concerns and difficulties faced by the locals in the area after the mosque was demolished.