Rangamati: The well-decorated ‘Darus Salam Jame Masjid’, perched atop a mountain in Rangamati, is capturing the attention of the Muslim community.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, this aesthetic mosque is situated in Ruilui Para, Rangamati, within the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of southern Bangladesh. Its minaret resonates with the melodious Azan, drawing both locals and tourists to its serene environment.
The mosque, surrounded by lush greenery, is located 1,700 feet above sea level in Sajek Valley, Baghaichhari Upazila of Rangamati district. Constructed at a cost of Taka 3 crore, 85 lakh, 65 thousand, and 788 on an acre of land previously donated by the army, the mosque stands on a four-storey foundation. It features four domes and a towering minaret, stretching 65 feet east-west and 81 feet north-south, encompassing a total area of 5,265 square feet.
The foundation stone was laid on February 2, 2020, by Major General SM Matiur Rahman, the then GOC of the army’s 24th Infantry Chittagong Division. As reported by BSS, the Pesh Imam and Khatib of Darus Salam Jame Mosque, Md Moniruzzaman, stated that formal prayers commenced with the Esha and Khatam Tarawih prayers of the first Ramadan in 2022. The mosque now hosts five-time daily congregational prayers, along with Jumma and Khatam Tarawih prayers, attracting local businessmen and numerous tourists.
Locals have noted that Sajek sees an average of about three thousand tourists daily, with numbers soaring during special holidays. The lack of a mosque had previously posed challenges for religious Muslim tourists wanting to pray. However, the new mosque provides a comfortable space for worship amidst the natural beauty of the region.
Tourists express excitement over the opportunity to pray in such a tranquil setting. Sohel Arman, a tourist from Dhaka, shared with BSS his joy at being able to worship in the mosque, highlighting the peace he felt in the serene environment.
Ziaul Haque Juboraj, General Secretary of the Darus Salam Mosque Management Committee, explained that the mosque’s expenses are covered by donations from the Baghaihat Zone of the Army, local businesses, and tourists. Due to the high altitude, water is scarce in Sajek, necessitating the purchase of water for daily use in the mosque. The mosque consumes an average of 5,000 liters of water daily at a cost of Taka one per liter.