Abuja National Mosque and the economics of idle land

Every time the author enters the Abuja National Mosque, the economist in him cannot help but notice the potential for economic development in the surrounding land. The mosque, with its golden dome, is a prominent landmark in the capital city and holds great significance for the Muslim community. However, the vast surrounding land is largely underutilized, presenting an opportunity to generate economic value.

The author questions whether the valuable land around the mosque is being used to its full potential. He emphasizes that while some open space is valuable for its own sake, there is a significant area of land that could be developed in a manner that is both economically beneficial and respectful of the mosque's sacred nature.

Islamic history offers a precedent for this kind of development through the concept of waqf, which involves endowing land, buildings, and other assets with the purpose of generating income for the benefit of society. The author suggests that a similar approach could be taken with the land around the Abuja National Mosque, using a coherent master plan to develop commercially viable facilities while preserving the mosque's spiritual atmosphere.

By developing the land around the mosque in a way that generates income, the author argues that the economic benefits could be used to fund scholarships, healthcare, skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, and other community support programs. This way, the mosque's assets would continue to support its primary mission while providing economic benefits to the wider community.

The author acknowledges that such development would require careful planning and consideration to ensure that the mosque's dignity and primary purpose are not compromised. However, he suggests that with proper urban planning, commercial facilities could coexist with the mosque's open praying ground, such as on Eid mornings.

Ultimately, the author believes that the real cost of the underutilized land is not just the lost rent, but the missed opportunities for human development that could be achieved through a well-planned and properly governed waqf structure. He encourages a conversation about how to best mobilize the assets of the mosque for its wider mission, rather than simply converting it into a shopping mall.