Built in 1860, the mosque was made by Iranian wealthy merchant, Haji Mohammed Husain Shirazi who settled in India and continues to be managed by Iranians settled here.
The picturesque Masjid-e-Iranian, commonly known as Mughal Masjid, in the by lanes of Imamwada in the Bhendi Bazaar area, is undergoing renovations that will see new handmade tiles brought in from Iran, renovation of the inner hall, new handmade tinted windowpanes, repairs of the ceiling and replacement of lights to decorative and energy-efficient ones.
"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, which looks after the 160-year-old mosque.
Built in 1860, the mosque was made by Iranian wealthy merchant, Haji Mohammed Husain Shirazi who settled in India and continues to be managed by Iranians settled here. During Mohurrum, it is known to host prominent speakers and is a hub of activities.
"This is the first time since the 1990s —when major renovations were undertaken — that we are renovating the mosque. The tiles had chipped away and there was seepage through the windows," said Namazi.
The renovation will not include the changing of outer tiles of the main mosque structure. "We did that three years ago. However, the Mehrab — wall of the mosque indicating the direction in which people look while praying — will be redone in the second phase, which will start post monsoon. Tiles are especially are called in from Iran so that they reflect the Persian design style," said Namazi.
The first phase will also see some colourful plants in the courtyard, and cleaning of a water body. It will be complete before Nowruz which falls on March 21.
"Nowruz (Persian New Year) is celebrated even today. Since the second phase will only be completed in 2018, we were keen to have the first phase completed by Nowruz," said Namazi.
The second phase, which will include redoing the minarets and facade of the mosque, new flooring of the path that takes one to the mosque, will start post monsoon because it will take longer time.
"The tiles will be changed to red-coloured Shadab tiles that we will get from Rajasthan. We will also change the lights to decorative lamps in the courtyard area apart from changing all the lights to energy-efficient LED lights," said Shirazi.
Husaini hall (inner hall), which is being redone in the first phase, will have the latest technology for speeches, screening of religious films, training programs and even classes for UPSC at a later date.
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