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ICICE mosque raises N2.2bn for expansion
By Grace Obike, Abuja
The International Centre for Islamic Culture and Education (ICICE), has raised about two billion, two hundred million naira for the expansion of the Al-Noor Masjid mosque in Wuse II, Abuja.
This was raised by contributions from Dangote, BUA, Alh. Wale Tinubu, Oando groups, Salim Buhari and others, from cheques, cash and pledges.
Alhaji Aliyu Dangote donated N350 million, Alh. Abdulkadir Aliyu N200 million, Oando groups N300 million, Alh. Wale Tinubu N300 million and the BUA promised to donate all the cement needed for the construction.
Other companies like AMG Petro Energy donated N50 million, while other well meaning Nigerians donated N20 million and as low as N1000 for the mosque and Islamic centre, which is under the custody of the International Centre for Islamic Culture and Education (ICICE).
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Director General ICICE, Dr. Kabir Usman, said the centre which was built for 1000 worshipers in 2012, now accommodates at least 7000 which is the need for the expansion.
Usman said this yesterday in Abuja, at the foundation stone laying and fund raising ceremony.
He said, “The mosque was established in 2012 with a capacity of only 1000 people and now we have about 6000-7000 worshipers, depending if it is on a Friday or during the Eid prayers, so there is the need for an expansion because we don’t want people basking in the sun. If you look at the way that the mosque is designed, you will know that this is more than a mosque but also an Islamic centre, where people are treated with dignity and respect, facilities of worship provided, palliatives provided, humanitarian activities and inter-faced dialogues and many activities provided.
“We have given the contractor 24 months for completion and we are on course. Initially before the launching, we raised an average of over N400 million, we received cash and also in kind, we encourage people to put the money into our bank accounts and as the DG, I am thankful to Allah for providing people who have the mind to donate to their community to donate over N1.3 billion and most likely by night, with the further fund raising initiatives, it is possible that we might realise the N3 billion minimum that we want for the completion of the project.”
