Mosque property unrecovered for 6 decades

While a legal battle goes on for about six decades, eight acres of land belonging to Nidaria mosque, in Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila, still remains in the possession of seven families.

Built in 1176 Hijri (1755 under the Gregorian calendar) on more than 10 acres of land, the ancient mosque is located in Kisamat Nagarband village under Panchagram union.

Out of the 10 acres and 56 decimals of land, the mosque authorities now hold possession of only two acres. Besides the mosque building, there is also an Eidgah and a piece of cultivable land within their possession. Almost all the earnings from crops that grow on the land are spent on legal expenses.   

Amzad Hossain, president of the mosque's managing committee for 10 years, said eight acres of the mosque's land is still under the possession of seven encroachers. "But we hope that we will get a decree from the court [in our favour]."

The property of the mosque will be recovered during the tenure of this committee, he said confidently.

Admitting the encroachment, Nazrul Islam, one among the seven illegal encroachers, said they would withdraw their claim on the property if the land is given to them under "permanent lease", as they had been enjoying the property for generations.

Fazlul Karim, Imam of the mosque, said the beautiful structure with a tri-dome and single-chamber prayer hall sets the mosque apart from other mosques.

On each corner the prayer hall, there are four ornamental pillars, extended above the roof, which is supported by thick walls on four sides. There is a grave on the left side of the mosque's main structure.

Many believe that the grave is of the mosque's founder, known as Subedar Mansur Khan, the Imam also said.

Ansar Ali, the muezzin, said according to local folklore, Subedar Mansur Khan, who did not have a beard, in his prayers committed to Allah that he would build a mosque if he was given beard on his face.

After beard finally grew on his face, he kept his promise and thus the mosque was known to all as Nidaria mosque. 

The archaeology department put up a sign at the mosque site in 1994, declaring it an archaeological site. But since then, nothing else was done to protect the structure, he added.