Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah offered to repair India’s largest mosque, Delhi’s historic Jama Masjid (Grand Mosque), the Indian Foreign Ministry said.
Reports say King Abdullah also wants to fund education in India.
The mosque’s Imam, Ahmad Bukhari, confirmed the Saudi offer, and said that the 17th century building was in urgent need of repair.
"I received the offer directly from the Saudi authorities but asked them to approach the government," Imam Bukhari said.
"We need millions of rupees for its restoration," he added.
Imam Bukhari also said that minarets of the mosque need to be repaired. "We also need to polish the tombs and repair other parts of the structure,”
An Indian Foreign Minister said they received the offer, adding that it will be considered in consultation with the concerned authority.
The Jama Masjid was built in 1656 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, who also built the Taj Mahal. Its red sandstone and marble edifice has a grand courtyard which can hold more than 20,000 worshippers.
The mosque is deemed a historical monument and its restoration is the responsibility of the Archaeological Survey of India, a government body in charge of maintaining historical sites and buildings.
King Abdullah is expected to visit India this month, and will be the chief guest at the country’s Republic Day celebrations.
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