ISLAMABAD The foundation stone laying ceremony of the Jamia Masjid (Central Mosque) of the International Islamic University, Islamabad was held at the New Campus of the university on Friday. Prof Fateh M Malik, Rector IIUI and Dr Anwar Hussain Siddiqui President were the guests on the occasion. Vice Presidents of the university Dr Zafar Ishaq Ansari and Parveen Qadir Agha, envoys of Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Somalia, Ulema, leading personalities of business & civil society, faculty members, students and the university employees participated in the event. Speaking on the occasion Prof Malik and Dr Siddiqui said that the Islamic culture had the destination of giving prime importance to the institution of Masjid (mosque) over centuries. The role of Masjid is important not only as a place of worship but it has also the role of an educational institution as well. The IIU keeping in view the importance of Masjid, decided to construct a grand mosque at its new campus to cater for needs of 30,000 faithful in future. They added that the IIUI was an institution of global reach and impact. They announced that the mosque would be constructed on self-help basis and for that donations could be sent in Pak Rupees to the Account no: 184400718501 and in foreign currency in account no 18447900176411 being maintained at the Habib Bank Limited, Faisal Mosque Campus of the university. Prof Munawar Iqbal Ahmed, Convener of the Masjid Committee highlighted salient features of the project. Dr Sajid-ur-Rehman Director Dawah Academy led collective prayers after the foundation stone-laying.