A group of Bangladeshi expatriates living in Lisbon, Portugal, opened a mosque named Hazrat Khadija (RA) Jame Mosque considering the growing Muslim community in the area. 

The new mosque began its journey with the Friday (April 15, 2022) prayer of the holy month of Ramadan. To mark this journey, an Iftar was organised in honour of the leaders of different levels of the Bangladesh community in Portugal on Thursday (April 14, 2022).

At the beginning of the iftar mahfil, the mosque management committee highlighted the various activities of the mosque and sought the cooperation of all Muslim devotees for the unfinished work of the mosque. 

A separate place for the prayers of women will be arranged at the mosque, they mentioned. 

An iftar mahfil was attended by a large number of Bangladeshi expatriates living in Portugal including businessmen and journalists. 

Presided over by the mosque management committee's President Mohammad Atiqur Rahman, the iftar event was conducted by Golam Yahiya Rupam where Baitul Mukarram Jame Mosque Management Committee's President Rana Taslim Uddin, Vice-President Jahirul Islam Jashim, Matrimaniz Jame Mosque Management Committee's President Mosharraf Hossain, Vice-President Shamsul Islam, General Secretary Sajidul Alam Sajid and Portugal Press Club's General Secretary Rasel Ahmed, spoke.

Among others, Biswa Sajan Foundation Founder Fazlul Haque Enam, Barishal Community Portugal President Shaheen Sayeed, Baitul Mukarram Jame Mosque Management Committee's General Secretary Shuyeb Miah, Eminent Businessman Nazrul Islam, community personalities Delwar Hossain, Abdul Wahid Chowdhury Parvez, Jakir Hossain, Rubel Ahmed, Abu Taher Suman, were present at the event. 

Fuzayel Ahmed Fayez, imam of Hazrat Khadija (RA) Mosque conducted the Munajat at the iftar mahfil. 

The first mosque named Bangladesh Islamic Centre was set up in Lisbon for Bangladeshi communities around two decades ago. Later, another mosque-- Matrimaniz Jame Mosque—was established there where Muslim devotees from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Africa and the Middle East perform their prayers. 

In addition, mosques have been set up at the initiative of Bangladeshis in several other cities, including Amadora, Cascais, Barreiro, Vila Nova de Milfontes and the port city of Forto, which are adjacent to Lisbon.

The writer is a journalist living in Portugal