A Young Boy’s First Iftar at Mohabat Khan Mosque Peshawar
Fakhar e Alam
Peshawar: Fourteen-year-old Ibrahim Khan could hardly contain his emotions as he broke his first fast under the towering minarets of the historic Mohabat Khan Mosque on Thursday evening.
Arriving from Nowshera with his father, Ibrahim had long dreamed of offering Iftar and performing Namaz-e-Taraweeh at the centuries-old mosque, a wish fulfilled this Ramadan with the blessing of his grandfather.
“I was overwhelmed,” Ibrahim said, eyes tracing the mosque’s intricate frescoes and majestic white domes. “I had heard about its history from my elders and teachers, but seeing it in person feels like stepping back in time.”
Dressed in traditional Shalwar Qamees and a white cap, Ibrahim stood in awe of the courtyard that has welcomed generations of worshippers.
His grandfather, Riaz Khan, a former PST teacher, shared that the family intends to return for Mahfil Shabina during the last Ashra of Ramadan.
A City of Crossroads and Faith
Peshawar has long been a gateway to the subcontinent and Central Asia, standing at the crossroads of empires. Over centuries, its rulers built mosques, temples, churches, and gurdwaras, reflecting a rich mosaic of culture and devotion.
Bakhtzada Muhammad, Assistant Director at the KP Archaeology Department, traced the spread of Islam in the region to the late 10th century, beginning with Sabuktigin, the Turkic commander and founder of the Ghaznavid dynasty.
His son, Mahmud of Ghazni, consolidated power after the Battle of Peshawar in 1001 AD, ushering in an era of mosque construction across present-day Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Among the earliest is the Odigram Mosque (1048 CE), commissioned by General Amir Nustagin, while other historic mosques include Yakagund Mosque in Mohmand, Sheikh Habib Mosque at Bala Manarai (1650), and Gunj Gate Mosque in Peshawar.
The Crown Jewel
Standing as the crowning jewel, the Mohabat Khan Mosque was constructed under Nawab Mohabat Khan in 1680, combining Islamic and Mughal architectural styles.
Initiated during Shah Jahan’s reign and completed under Emperor Aurangzeb, the mosque spans over 30,000 square feet, with a courtyard that can accommodate 40,000 worshippers.
Two towering minarets and six smaller decorative ones frame the skyline, while three elegant domes rise above the prayer hall. Inside, red frescoes depict intricate geometric and floral patterns, and the ablution pool mirrors the domes above, creating a serene atmosphere.
Despite damage during Sikh rule and later neglect, the mosque underwent renovations in 1898 and after the British period, eventually earning protected status under the KP Auqaf Department in 1982.
Recent conservation work has restored much of its original grandeur, though encroachments around the mosque remain a concern.
A Living Monument
For locals, Mohabat Khan Mosque is more than marble and frescoes, it is the spiritual heart of Peshawar. “For the last 20 years, I have been offering Jumma prayers and Taraweeh here,” said Salim Khan, a resident.
“During Ramazan, the atmosphere takes worshippers to another world.”
The mosque has also played a historic role beyond spirituality. During the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, Afghan tribal elders convened here to foster unity.
On the first day of Ramadan, thousands of worshippers filled the courtyard, shoulder to shoulder, united in prayer. Among them, young Ibrahim stood beside his grandfather, feeling both small and profoundly connected, a link in a centuries-old chain of faith.
For Ibrahim and countless others, Mohabat Khan Mosque is not just a monument; it is a living testament to devotion, resilience, and the timeless spirit of Peshawar, a place where history, faith, and community converge every Ramadan. The feature report was released by APP.
