Tipu Sultan Mosque

Tipu Sultan Mosquemost commomnly known as "Tipu Sultan Shahi Masjid' (which means a royal mosque named after the great Emperor Tipu Sultan the Tiger of Mysore), is situated at 185, Dhartamtalla Street, Kolkata 700013 near Esplanade, Kolkata, India. The mosque is a wonderful, cultural heritage building. People from all sections of society and religions are allowed to visit the mosque and take pictures of this historical piece of architecture.

The mosque / shahi masjid was built in 1832 by Prince Ghulam Mohammed , youngest son of Tipu Sultan.

The Mosque has stood witness to the many changes Calcutta has had; political and otherwise. The Mosque was headed by His Holiness Shahi Imam the 11th Imam since it was built. Presently His Holiness Hazrat Mufti Syed Mohammed Noorur Rahman Barkati is the chief clergy of the mosque. He is also the Mufti E Azam (the chief judge of the Muslim Law in India) and a former member of the Prime Minister's Haj Delegation. Other positions include being in the Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India. He is also an All India Railway Board Member in the Ministry of Railways.His Holiness , Hazrat Maulana "s Father Hazrat Salman Barkati was also the Shahi Imam of this very historical mosque,and he died in 1985.Hazrat Shahi Imam ( as commonly called in URDU)was also graced with the first Mother Teresa International Award for peace and social services.

The Expences of mosque is run on the funds from rents of the property held at different places in Kolkata. The Shahi Masjid (as commonly known)is protected and looked after by a committee called "Tipu Sultan Shahi Masjid Protection And Welfare Committee", headed by Hon'ble Secretary Janab.Aziz Mubarki.This committee was made almost 30 years back by its founder secretary General Janab. Seraj Mubarki,to negotiate with the Metro Train Authrities for the damage which was caused by the work underneath the Shahi Masjid. Al Hamdullah,He was successful in hitting the right cords withthe administration and metro train authoritiers were persuaded to demolish the damaged part of the Mosque ( outer part "SEHAN"), and re build it.

Since this committee has been doing works for the betterment of the humankind.Its present Secretary Janab.Aziz Mubarki,has been activiely involded into the works of humanityirrrespectiveof caste,creed and religion also happens to be the Media advisor and additional chief Secretary to the present Shahi Imam,Hazrat Mufti Maulana S.M.N.R.Barkati.

In fact Janab.Aziz Mubarki is the only person who single handedly managed to run the entire organisation,that is the day to day (non financial)affair of the mosque.He truly is a man of secular nature, he with his committee mebers raised a sum of Rs.21501/- for Tsunami Victims ans handed it over to the then Police Commissioner Janab.Prasun Mukherjee to send it to thePrimeMinister Tsunami fund..He sat on hunger strike for 5 days to seek intervention of the central government when a dargah and mandir was razed in vododara , for its beautifications.He trluy has been very vocal when some Mandir were destroyed in Pakistan in the name of braodening the roads there.he has alwayscondemned the attacks on christian missionaries in Orissa and other parts of India.Recenlty he raised his voice when a french company published the pictues of Bhagwan Ram of Panties and shoes.

In fact it could be said that the present administration, that is the Shahi Imam of the Tipu Sultan Shahi Masjid and janab.Aziz Mubarki his Addl.Chief Secretary are the best in the entire history of Tipu Sultan Shahi Masjid.Shahi Imam is truly blessed to have Mr.Aziz Mubarki as his Addl.Chief Secretary as well his Media Advisor,its only becauseof him that Hazrat Shahi Imam is so popular and his image is of a secular Leader of the Muslim Community.