Summary
Jama Masjid Allah Wali is an old multistory mosque situated in the busy area of Bohrapir. This mosque was constructed before the partition of sub-continent, in 1897 A.D. Its renovation began on 24th May 1968, when its foundation was laid by the then president of Jamiat-e-Ulama-e-Pakistan, Alhaj Maulana Shah Abdul Hamid Qadri Badayuni. Its minor renovations was recently carried out in 2009.
Allah Wali Masjid misses some major features and facilities which are found in a common mosque.
The connections between spaces are not defined. Transition between spaces can become difficult. Its entrance gate doesn’t suffice for a small crowd to pass adequately.
The ablution area of Allah Wali Masjid is situated outside the boundaries of the mosque, and has been designed poorly, with no considerations of users’ access and transition from the ablution space.
Access to the upper levels of the mosque is not easy. There are issues with the steps, and the width of stairs.
There are no facilities for the handicapped personnel, no ramp or special considerations for handicapped are available.
The bathrooms are located right next to the mosque and are poorly oriented.
There is no provision for Janaza, and namaz e janaza is offered on the road adjacent to the mosque.

Introduction
Mosque is a space where a connection between God and His creation is established. His creation visits this space five times a day, worshipping and offering prayers.
Such a space, where a spiritual link is created, should provide an environment supportive for the purpose. It should host and welcome its users. People from all age groups should find themselves comfortable.
It should provide all the necessary means and services that are commonly needed, and should also have arrangements for any possible rare needs.
In this research report, I have given and explained some major flaws in the design and planning of Jama Masjid Allah Wali, a mosque in my locality. And how by offering prayers, observing and being the user of this mosque, has led me to incorporate certain elements in a mosque that I designed.

Study
Allah Wali Masjid runs for a length of approximately 40’, and is 30’ wide. Its Façade contains Mughal architecture elements, i.e. Mughal Arches, Mughal style columns. It’s Façade is hidden by the surrounding buildings. The entrance to the mosque is accessed through a narrow street of about 10’.
Offering prayers for over 11 years in Allah Wali Masjid, one would get accustomed to any difficulties in the mosque. But I always used to think about the major flaws within the design and construction, by observance and personal experiences.
Entrance:
There are overall 3 Entrances into the mosque. Two are from the front side, and one from the back. The Main entrance is 6’ Wide. The 2nd entrance is to the left, which gives access to the upper levels of mosque.
A single entrance of 6’ is not enough for easy entrance and egress of a crowd. Especially in Friday congregations the crowd at the entrance lasts for long time.
The side entrance is immediately next to the toilets. Sometimes the odor from the toilets spreads around the area which is highly undesirable.
Ablution Area:
The major issue with the ablution area is that the flooring material has been laid of marble. When wet, the marble gets slippery, this can be dangerous. The ablution area is located outside the mosque, and in winter seasons ablution is performed in the cold outside. But, ablution areas are also available on 1st and 2nd floors.
Moreover, the ablution area is at a height of 1’6” from ground. The space between the ablution seat and the exterior side is 2’. This means that only one person can stand in that space. Anyone who has to move in the ablution area, he has to be extremely careful not to trip or slip while moving past any other individual. Spaces:
The transition between interior spaces is difficult. There are blind corners and narrow pathways. The main prayer hall on ground floor is spacious.
Saff size is just at the borderline. Distance between two consecutive rows is 4’ which is insufficient. Often the head of preceding row’s prayer hits the ankle of succeeding row’s prayer.
Access to upper levels:
The mosque has 3 floors. The staircase leading to the upper levels has been designed poorly. The steps are covered with marble. The marble remains wet during congregation hours and has caused many people to slip on it. The riser of steps is 8” high, which is extremely difficult for the elderly to step on.
The width of the stairway is 3’. It is extremely small. In large congregations a crowd is created on the stairway and it can take about 5 minutes for a person to move from 2nd and 3rd floor to the ground floor. In case of any unforeseen hazard, these stairs does not provide an immediate and swift egress from the mosque.
Facilities for handicapped:
There are as such no facilities given for the handicapped. There is no ramp available. The elderlies face trouble in performing ablution and walking up and down the floors.
Toilets:
The toilets are located right next to the mosque. Its orientation is not proper, and the odor from the toilet escapes into right into the street. The entrance to the toilets is next to the mosque’s side entrance.
Shoe Space
There is no space designed for the storage of shoes. Shoes are left outside the mosque, or placed in boxes in the mosque.
Analysis
Jama Masjid Allah Wali is one of the many mosques that were created in Karachi before the partition of sub-continent. The actual planning was done according to the population of the area at that time.
The ablution seat is 10” high. The height is insufficient, and does not meet with the standard of 12”-18” height. The distance between ablution seats is 6”, against the standard of 12” distance.
The main entrance is 6’ wide and it is sufficient and as per the standards, but the secondary entrance is 4’ wide, which is not wide enough.
Risers and tread should always be in a fixed ratio (i.e. T+2R=24-25). This ratio cannot be seen in the stairs of mosque. The stairs are also 3’ wide, against a minimum width standard of 4’. And in the case of such mosque, they should be at least 6’ wide.
The saff size has become 4’ in length over the years, due to the standard sized marble slabs available, and the need of accommodating more people. But in the light of my research, the saff should be at least 4’6”in length.
Mosque designed after analysis of Allah Wali Masjid:
The mosque which I designed, I took special care about the issues that I saw myself and others face in Allah Wali Masjid. I incorporated several facilities that I found lacking in Allah Wali Masjid.
Instead of a 6’’ wide gate, I gave an 8’ wide gate. A second gate of 8’ width has been provided that could also be used by pedestrians.
Special care for the handicapped was taken, by adding a ramp to provide a smooth access to the mosque.
The ablution seat has been given a height of 18” and a gap of 1’ provided between two seats.
Multiple entrances leading into the main prayer halls, so they divide the traffic outflow in large congregations, i.e. Friday and Eid prayers.
A proper shoe space has been provided inside the mosque.
Drinking water fountains has been provided, near the ablution area and near prayer hall.
Saff size has been increased to 4’10” with a 2” wide strip dividing one saff from another.
A library and administration space has been planned