The Kurdistan Region has officially launched the Barzani Grand Mosque project in Erbil, marking the start of construction on a large religious and cultural complex expected to become a major landmark in the city.
The foundation stone was laid by the Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Pishtiwan Sadiq, alongside senior officials and religious leaders during a ceremony held on Sunday.
Officials said the Barzani Grand Mosque Project is intended to serve not only as a place of worship but also as a centre for religious scholarship, cultural activity, and community engagement, reflecting what they described as a broader vision linking faith with development.
Speaking at the ceremony, Sadiq said the project aims to revive Islamic authenticity and strengthen religious learning in the region, adding that it carries symbolic significance through its association with Kurdish historical figures and cultural identity.
Planned as a large-scale complex, the development will include a main prayer hall, educational facilities, a library, conference halls, a museum, and landscaped public spaces. It is also expected to feature extensive architectural elements inspired by Kurdish design traditions.
According to officials, the site will cover more than 2 million square metres and accommodate thousands of worshippers, along with gardens, water features, and multiple community facilities designed to make it a wider cultural destination.
The project, first proposed in 2023, is being implemented under the supervision of the regional government and is expected to be completed in phases as construction progresses.
