Written by: Hidayat Khan
Posted on: May 22, 2020 | 
Main Mosque Courtyard
The Peshawar city is adorned with a number of historical as well as modern-era mosques, situated in almost every corner of the city. Local residents are proud to have Mughal-era Masjids (mosques) like Masjid Mohabat Khan and Masjid Dilawar Khan, Masjid Qasim Ali Khan in Qissa Khwani Bazaar and Masjid Gunj Ali Khan, all situated inside the Walled City, which date back to the 1600s.
On the other hand, modern Islamic structures, like Masjid Zarghoni in Hayatabad, and the Sonehri Masjid in the Saddar Area, represent new efforts to build and innovate on the rich legacy of mosques in Peshawar. While Zarghoni Mosque has been recently constructed in the upscale sector of the city, construction on the Sunehri Masjid, not to be confused with the mosque of the same name in Dehli Gate, Lahore, started just before the creation of Pakistan.
This mesmerizingly large Sunehri Masjid attracts a large number of visitors, especially during the month of Ramadan. The mosque in situated near Nothia, a busy market area in the cantonment. While there is not much recorded history of the mosque available, the plaque on the inside and the imam (the man who leads the prayer and is in charge of the mosque) explain that its first brick was laid in 1942.
However, construction efforts halted till they began again in 1962, and finished in 1992, taking over 50 years to complete. This is because Sunehri Mosque has been funded largely by public charities. Even today, the mosque is governed by an independent body, which relies on charities and the contribution of general public.
Sunehri Masjid Under Construction in 1963
Today, Sunehri Mosque spans a total area of about 18,000 square feet, and has a capacity to hold approximately 6000 worshippers at a time. It is built in a typical Mughal fashion with red bricks, arches, domes and pointed cupolas on top of the minarets. The tallest minaret of the masjid is 128 feet.
Mosque Arch Detailing
During the month of Ramadan, Muslims worldwide spend the month fasting and praying. Mosques become lively centers of activity, and glitter with lights all through the night as worshippers make their way there. It is not uncommon to see people served free iftaar, the evening meal which ends the fast, followed by dinner.
A View of the Coutyard from Inside
According to locals, the free iftaar at Sunehri Masjid was started three years ago by Malik Amir, a volunteer, who prepares food at home for about 100 people every day. Last year, the number of people who joined the mosque for iftaar increased up to 300.
Such spikes are common during the last days of Ramadan, when people spend longer time in the mosque and donate readily to charity. These nights start with a recitation of the Quran during late night, pos-iftaar Taraweeh prayers (an optional, extra prayer especially for Ramadan), and recite praises to God, which is called a Hamd and to the Prophet (PBUH), which is called a Naat. There are communal supplications for peace and stability in the community and country overall. Many volunteers step forward during these days to serve the people. Many people from the nearby neighborhoods chip in financially, and serve their community during this month.
The Main Prayer Area
Another interesting legacy of this mosque is that it has created a safe space for women to pray, which is not as common in other mosques around the city. Since the late 90’s, Sunehri Mosque has had a separate section where women offer prayers and listen to Friday sermons. However, due to the relatively recent worsening conditions of security, women have not been allowed to enter the mosque for safety concerns.
In March 2020, after 23 years, this same space in the mosque was reopened for women to offer prayers, especially the Friday prayer and the two major Eid prayers. The mosque's imam, Muhammad Ismail, told the media that the decision was taken just days before the International Women's Day, as threats of terrorism no longer loomed over the city. This decision was meant to facilitate women who wish to fulfil religious responsibilities as a group, without fear of violence or misconduct.
On the first day of this decision, the local administration in Peshawar displayed a banner welcoming women worshipers, and showing them directions to their designated area. Initially around 20 women offered Friday prayers, but the numbers have been increasing since. For now, up to 150 women are able to offer their prayers and listen to the sermons. This is a decision welcomed wholeheartedly by the people of Peshawar.
Inside the Mosque
Mosques are not just houses of worship, but public spaces which reflect the needs and attitudes of their community. Sunehri Mosque has a unique example of the way in which mosques in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa (KPK) can become places of community and inclusion. The mosque may not have much written historical material available about it, but continues to carry importance for the people of Saddar, Peshawar, as an easily accessible area for religious worship.
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