Video: All-women mosque in Lucknow goes 100% solar

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LUCKNOW: The city’s first all-women mosque will now be powered by solar energy. The mosque on the PGI Road will operate on 100 percent clean and renewable energy.

The foundation stone for the Amber mosque was laid by famous Islamic scholar and prominent personality late Hazrat Ali Miyan Nadvi.

Amber founded the All-India Muslim Women’s Personal Law Board as a counter to the Muslim Law Board in order to provide a better life to the Muslim women.

The mosque that was established way back in February 1997 was initially built for women. It later was thrown open to men as well.

https://youtu.be/rBPEqPJKcoE

The decision to power it by solar energy came after studies showed the harmful effects of coal on the establishment.

“We have decided to install solar panels to power the mosque to reduce its dependence on electricity produced from highly polluting sources such as coal. The focus will be on clean sources such as solar energy,” said Shaista Ambar, founder president of All-India Muslim Women Personal Law Board.

Amber says the motivation to build the mosque came after she was denied entry in a mosque in 1997.

“Once, me and my eight-year-old son went to visit a Mosque in the city. He was allowed inside, but I wasn’t. The bias against the women shook me, which motivated me to build this mosque. Everybody, irrespective of the gender or economical status, can offer their prayers in this mosque,” she said.

“Then, I realised the state of pollution in the environment. And hence, took up this challenge of powering it through solar power. Through this, I want to give a message to all to start using renewable sources of energy,” she added.

Amber had founded the Board almost two decades back to address the issues of Muslim women, like triple talaq, girl education and much more as well as to counter the patriarchal norms of other Muslim law boards of the country.