One of world's largest mosques to be built in Tajikistan

"The mosque is expected to accommodate about 150,000 people. Its construction is expected to start in Dushanbe in October," the spokesman said.

He said Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon visited Dubai on Saturday, after his speech at the 64th session of the UN General Assembly, in order to familiarize himself with the project.

The building, which is to reflect characteristics of Tajik national architecture, will occupy 7.5 hectares (18.5 acres) in the center of Dushanbe, the spokesman said.

The spokesman said the project, which is to be financed by Qatar, is designed to be a large cultural and historic center of Islam, including not only a mosque, but also large halls where various scientific and cultural events, conferences and meetings, and high-level summits can be held. The grounds of the Islamic center are to copy the shape of Tajikistan's territory, he said, adding it will also include a museum and a library; Kazinform cites RIA Novosti. See www.en.rian.ru for full version.