Hafsa Zain
The most memorable and captivating day of my life was my visit to the Illyasi Mosque in Abbottabad. My first encounter with its minaret architecture and embellished paintings instantly reflected the Indo-European and Sikh heritage of the pre-partition era. The mosque utterly ravished me with its history, knowing it was constructed in 1932 by the local community. It has embodied the entirety of traditional and cultural art, patronage, and lifelong heritage within its foundations, which profoundly captivates every visitor.
The natural flow of water from a nearby hill makes the mosque more exalted and lofty. This water, flowing through the stone channel in the courtyard, seamlessly connects the mosque with nature, amplifying its glory and grandeur. The natural fountain, exquisite architecture, spiritual surroundings, rich cultural heritage, and those appealing minarets transported me back to the golden ages of Muslim civilization.
One of the visitors told me this Mosque is built on five kanals and has the capacity for 10,000 people. The melodic recitation of the Holy Quran by children in the porch spreads ecstasy and peace in a person’s heart and soul. In short, the whole visit provided me with the most deeply relieving and soul-purifying effect.
Lastly, the most appealing thing for me remains the connected pakora shops of Abbottabad, built in 1956 by Fazal Dad Jadoon, now run by his sons and grandsons, popularly known as Pakorywala. Sitting on a chair in the rainy weather, sipping tea, and eating pakoras amidst the charming scenery while observing the huge, giant minarets and architecture of the Mosque—this is the deep andy heart
