Markaz-e-Islami auditorium in ruins

No lighting, air conditioning or restroom facilities exist in the 22-year-old centre

KARACHI:

Where Muslim countries around the world take great pride in preserving and showcasing facets of their Islamic heritage through museums and cultural centers, the dilapidated state of Karachi’s two decade old Markaz-e-Islami auditorium reflects a completely opposite scenario.

Announced in 1983 and inaugurated in 2001, the Al-Markaz-e-Islami auditorium, with a seating capacity of 700, served as a center for Islamic heritage for a brief period of time before closing its doors to the public due to the inability of the administration to maintain the facility. Following its closure, the auditorium was soon turned into a stage show venue and later the Cinepax cinema, while the surrounding land was converted into marriage halls.

In 2020 however, a verdict of the Supreme Court commanded the closure of the cinema and marriage halls, calling instead for a restoration of the Islamic center. However, even as three years have come to pass following the court’s decision, due negligence on part of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, has left the Markaz-e-Islami auditorium in a state of ruins, with basic infrastructure and amenities like restrooms, lighting arrangements and air conditioning either entirely missing or in utter disrepair.

Mohammad Ahmed, a resident of the Federal B Area, nostalgically recalled times when the Markaz-e-Islami auditorium was brimming with spectators, as cultural enthusiasts poured in to participate in heritage programs. “The Islamic Center was utilized in its true sense during the first few years of its inauguration only since several programs related to Islamic culture and heritage were frequently organized in its premises,” recalled Ahmed.

According to an on-ground assessment of The Express Tribune, the Markaz-e-Islami auditorium located in the Federal B area, despite possessing a decent building structure, an open area for events, a library, an art gallery and a parking space for visitors, has fundamental amenities like restrooms, air conditioning and lighting missing throughout the auditorium, which instead of attracting visitors has become a sanctuary for stray dogs.

In an attempt to inquire about the current state of the auditorium, the Express Tribune spoke to Atif Ali, Additional Director and In-charge at Al-Markaz-e-Islami, Karachi. “On the orders of the Supreme Court, the old status of the Islamic Center has been restored, but the auditorium is closed due to a lack of funds because of which the construction of restrooms has still not been completed,” said Ali, who further confirmed that a library had already been established on one side of the building, and an art gallery had also been set up in another corner where the calligraphy of Sadequain, the renowned Pakistani artist, was on display.

Speaking to The Express Tribune on the matter, Saif Abbas, Senior Director at the Community Sports and Recreation Department of the KMC said,” I have spoken to the current Mayor of Karachi about the state of Markaz-e-Islami.”

 

Published in The Express Tribune, November 1^st, 2023.