:Lal Masjid, Islamabad

File:Lal Masjid under Construction CDA.jpg

The Red Mosque located on Masjid (mosque) Road is one of the oldest mosques within the capital. Before the construction of Faisal Mosque, the Red Mosque was the largest in the capital. Located in a very central position, it lies in close proximity to the two busy commercial centres - the Aabpara Market in the east and the Melody Market in the north. It was built according to Capital Development Authority (CDA) records and was designed by Pakistani architect Zaheer ud Deen Khawaja during his tenure as Director of Planning at the Capital Development Authority.{{Cite web |date=2023-11-17 |title=A legendary architect: Zaheer ud Deen Khawaja {{!}} ARCHI TIMES & A+I Magazines Pakistan |url=https://www.architimesonline.com/site/discussion-with-zaheer-ud-deen-khwaja/ |access-date=2024-10-12 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Farooq |first=Mohammad |date=2018-05-21 |title=A legendary architect: Zaheer ud Deen Khawaja |url=https://mohammadfarooq.net/2018/05/21/a-legendary-architect-zaheer-ud-deen-khawaja/ |access-date=2020-08-28 |website=Mohammad Farooq |language=en}} {{multiple image

| align = left

| direction = vertical

| width =

| image1 = Lal Masjid CDA Museum Display.jpg

| caption1 = A photograph of the Lal Masjid on display at the Lok Virsa Museum

| image2 = Lal Masjid 1968.jpg

| caption2 = Tourists from East Pakistan pose outside the newly constructed Lal Masjid in 1968

}}

Maulana Abdullah Ghazi was appointed the first Imam and Khatib of mosque in 1965.{{Cite web |date=18 October 2016 |title=شہیداسلام مولانا عبداللہ شہید شخصیت و کردار۔۔۔تحریر مولاناتنویراحمداعوان |url=https://shaffak.com/news/details/tanvir-awan-003890/ |access-date=8 February 2021 |website=Shaffak |language=ur}}

The mosque was frequently visited by foreign delegates during their visits to the new capital and was commonly featured on postcards.{{Cite web |title=Book Review: Negotiating the Siege of the Lal Masjid |url=https://newslinemagazine.com/magazine/book-review-negotiating-siege-lal-masjid/ |access-date=2024-10-20 |website=Newsline |language=en}}

The mosque was also visited by prominent political figures such as Prime Minister Balakh Sher Mazari and Presidents of Pakistan including Ghulam Ishaq Khan and Farooq Leghari.{{Cite book |last=Dolnik |first=Adam |title=Negotiating the Siege of the Lal Masjid |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2015 |pages=53}}

After retirement, President Ayub Khan was also a frequent visitor to the mosque, as he lived in a villa nearby.{{Cite book |last=Kapur |first=Saloni |title=Pakistan after Trump: Great Power Responsibility in a Multi-Polar World |publisher=Cambridge Scholars Publishing |year=2021 |isbn= |pages=187}}

In 1986, The mosque was extensively renovated and expanded at the behest of President Zia-ul-Haq's government, as he often offered prayers here and especially attended Friday prayers in the mosque every week.Michelle Shephard (9 July 2007), [https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2007/07/09/mosque_crisis_highlights_pakistans_turmoil.html "Mosque crisis highlights Pakistan's turmoil"], The Star. Retrieved 4 June 2019.

During the Soviet–Afghan War (1979–1989), the mosque played a role in recruiting and training mujahideen to fight with or alongside Afghan mujahideen. Throughout its existence several thousand male and female students have lived in adjacent seminaries.{{cite news|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6503477.stm|title=Profile: Islamabad's Red Mosque|publisher=BBC News |date=3 July 2007 |accessdate=5 January 2010}}

After Maulana Abdullah was assassinated at the mosque in 1998, his sons Abdul Aziz and Abdul Rashid took over the mosque.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070712224737/http://www.pakistantimes.net/2007/07/11/top1.htm "Islamabad Red Mosque Cleric Killed"]}} Pakistan Times, 11 July 2007, retrieved 27 July 2009

{{Main|Siege of Lal Masjid}}

File:Location of Lal Masjid in Islamabad.jpeg

On 3 July 2007, the stand-off between the students barricaded inside the mosque and the government resulted in bloody gun battles in which over twenty people, including students of the mosque, members of the media, paramilitary personnel, and a businessman were reportedly killed, and over one hundred others were injured. An FIR was later registered against Aziz and Rashid with charges ranging from kidnapping and murder to treason, as well as terrorism. People who supported the activities of Lal Masjid said they were only attacking "Chinese girls who were prostitutes and they [were] destroying CD shops which sold pornography." Lal Masjid held on to what many people call "pure and true Muslim ethic" and what the opposing parties called "fundamental and dogmatic".

Aziz and Rashid were negotiating the conflict with then Senior Minister for Religious Affairs, Ijaz-ul-Haq in consultation with Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, President of Pakistan Muslim League (Q). According to last minute reports, the negotiations were deemed successful. Reportedly, after the minister left the Mosque, he changed his stance and could not defend the commitments he made at the mosque.{{Citation needed |reason= Needs an Authentic reference|date=March 2025}}

Government and security officials had repeatedly asked Maulana Abdul Rashid to surrender but he refused. He proposed that if government would give him and his students safe passage to allow him to live a silent life in his home village, he would hand over Lal Masjid to government, Jamia Hafsa and Faridia University to Wafaqul Madaris (a federation of Madaris). This agreement was made between Ulmai Karam and Government including Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain but at the final moment President Pervez Musharraf canceled the agreement{{Citation needed|date=April 2009}} and ordered to attack the mosque where hundreds of female students were present

On 8 July 2007, most of the private media outlets (such as Geo and Aaj, among others) became convinced from the movements of the security forces on the ground that they were preparing to storm the building. At dawn on Tuesday, 10 July, after attempts at negotiation failed, government troops stormed the mosque, taking control of most of the complex.

Many conflicting reports swirled around the incident and it is difficult to determine the truth of these given the very sensitive political nature of the event; the actual number of casualties still cannot be verified independently. Many believe the casualties were between 300 and 400.

When asked about the alleged foreigners the government was unable to prove the presence of any foreigners in the mosque and many believe that some locals as were dubbed as foreigners.{{cite web|title=MMA president says locals were 'dubbed' foreigners in Lal Masjid|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/lal-masjid/mma-president-says-locals-were-dubbed-foreigners-in-lal-masjid_382913.html|work=Zee News|publisher=Zee Media Corporation Ltd|accessdate=28 February 2014|date=15 July 2007}}

Following the week-long siege, the country entered a three-day mourning period. The bodies of those killed were buried in temporary graves, awaiting collection from family members. Hundreds of Abdul Rashid's supporters attended his funeral in his village, amid calls for Holy War.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6294812.stm |title=Pakistan buries Red Mosque dead |publisher=BBC |date=12 July 2007 |time=09:25 UTC | accessdate=5 January 2010}} This gave rise to fears of a violent backlash from fundamentalist quarters; the police and military were placed on high alert. Ayman al-Zawahiri, Al-Qaeda's second in command, released a message which included the sentence: "Your salvation is only through jihad", heightening tensions in the region.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6293914.stm |title=Al-Qaeda issues Pakistan threat |publisher=BBC |date=11 July 2007 |time=21:05 UTC | accessdate=5 January 2010}}

{{Main|Lal Masjid suicide bombing}}

On 6 July 2008, at 7:50 PM local time, a bomb exploded near Lal Masjid, killing 18 policemen and 1 civilian. A Pakistani official claimed the bombing occurred on the first anniversary of the siege and was a revenge attack. The attack occurred even amidst tight security in Islamabad, where thousands of Islamic students in Pakistan came to mark the day when Pakistani troops stormed Lal Masjid.{{cite news |url=http://www.france24.com/en/20080706-blast-islamabad-red-mosque-dead-attack-anniversary-pakistan&navi=MONDE |title=Blast near Islamabad's Red Mosque kills dozens |last=Jacinto |first=Leela |date=6 July 2008 |publisher=www.france24.com |accessdate=6 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080804014319/http://www.france24.com/en/20080706-blast-islamabad-red-mosque-dead-attack-anniversary-pakistan%26navi%3DMONDE |archivedate=4 August 2008 |df=mdy-all }} The blast was the work of a suicide bomber around 30 years of age.{{cite news |url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/pak-terror-reminder-18-dead-in-lal-masjid-blast/68417-2.html |title=Pak terror reminder: 18 dead in Lal Masjid blast |date=7 July 2008 |author=Press Trust Of India |publisher=www.ibnlive.com |accessdate=6 July 2008}} Advisor to the Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik, who visited the blast site, said about 12,000 students attended the rally and the attack was directed at the police.{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/07/06/pakistan.blast/index.html |title=Suicide blast targeting police kills 16 at Pakistan rally |date=6 July 2008 |publisher=www.cnn.com |accessdate=6 July 2008}}

File:CloseupofLalMasjid.png and Ramadan]]

The mosque was opened to public three weeks after the siege and was initially painted white.{{cite news |date=24 July 2007 |title=Lal Masjid to reopen in time for Friday prayers |url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=9194 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927212800/http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=9194 |archive-date=27 September 2007 |access-date=10 May 2008 |publisher=Daily Times (Pakistan)}}

Bahria Town carried out extensive renovations of the mosque, during which the exterior walls were embellished with sandstone, mosaics, and intricate calligraphy, while the interior of the main hall was enhanced with detailed wood paneling. The renovation project was completed in 2010.{{Cite web |last=umer.nangiana |date=2010-07-16 |title=Lal Masjid is still red three years on |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/28404/lal-masjid-is-still-red-three-years-on |access-date=2010-09-15 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}} The redesign and renovations were overseen by architect Nayyar Ali Dada.[https://web.archive.org/web/20070115145239/http://www.opf.org.pk/almanac/P/peronprof.htm Profile of architect Nayyar Ali Dada] Retrieved 11 December 2019

Upon his release, Mawlānā Abdul Aziz resumed his post as the Imam and Khatib (cleric).{{Cite web |date=2021-09-20 |title=Lal Masjid: Why Maulana Abdul Aziz Remains Untouchable |url=https://thefridaytimes.com/20-Sep-2021/lal-masjid-why-maulana-abdul-aziz-remains-untouchable |access-date=2024-10-20 |website=The Friday Times |language=en}}

File:LalMasjid1972.png|A vintage photograph of the mosque, often seen on postcards

File:MihrabofLalMasjid.jpg|The inner prayer hall featuring the Mihrab and Minbar

File:QuranMomumentLalMasjid.jpg|Monument on the mosque's west side featuring Quranic verse 55:17

File:MainGateofLalMasjid.jpg|The façade, from the courtyard looking east

{{stack|{{portal|Islam|Pakistan}}}}

• Islam in Pakistan
• List of mosques in Pakistan

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• {{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/lalmasjidpk?lang=en |title=Lal Masjid Official |work=Twitter |date= |access-date= }}
• {{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/JamiaSyedaHafsaOfficial/?hc_ref=ARTBfXXrR_yk_aqWs6o_waMi2UD-iy__gCsSHwXUekI7L1hTWPk2HPEknEsP1BZAOcw&fref=tag&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARApFv1B77kxKZzYHC6iRVVbgGJdT_NoYQoCbDyK8ae9g59YvvYkqfiZXuNDXogQu8QgSEqX6v6aE-1ksZVTzDzlrujC9pXMLhMypbTYHEwZjdW5ZFZaKUO5nhGWmu9QGluGwuFBX7p5gdWqfe6_-3zXoDw3KDQp6KtUjplSmdjwGmPGz6K3NaEtzkIf51wnOmrNHG4JPKZuIt1REz5oaeo-7LwRLtlD2X6UQUvVXQ&__tn__=kCH-R |title=Jamia Hafsa Official |work=Facebook |date= |access-date=}}

{{Mosques in Pakistan}}

{{IslamismSA}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1965 establishments in Pakistan

Category:21st-century attacks on mosques

Category:Deobandi mosques

Category:Mosque buildings with domes in Pakistan

Category:Mosque buildings with minarets in Pakistan

Category:Mosques in Islamabad

Category:Mosques completed in 1965

Category:Sunni mosques in Pakistan