Construction of model mosque in Bamna not completed even after six years, locals form human chain
Md. Shakil Ahmed, Bamna (Barguna)
The devout Muslims of Bamna Upazila of Barguna have been waiting for 6 years to hear the holy call to prayer from the minaret of the "Assalatu Khairum Minannau" model mosque. Although the contractor has changed twice, the slow pace of the construction work of the model mosque has already turned into public discontent among the locals.
Locals formed a human chain at the Bamna Press Club in the upazila's Golchattar at 10 am today, Thursday to remove the contractor and complete the construction work of the mosque quickly.
According to sources from the Islamic Foundation and Public Works Department, the government has taken the initiative to build 560 model mosques and Islamic cultural centers across the country with the idea of building them as one of the centers for propagating pure Islam. Activities such as selling Islamic books, training Imams, Islamic research, memorization centers, children's and mass education programs, registration of Hajj pilgrims, etc. will be conducted from the model mosques. Awareness programs to prevent militancy, terrorism and violence against women will be conducted from these mosques.
It is known that on March 24, 2019, the contractor company ASI JB; whose owner is Ferdous Ahmed, the mayor of the neighboring Mathbathia Municipality, started the construction of the model mosque.
When the authorities were not satisfied with the construction, the construction cost of the mosque was increased to 13 crore 15 lakh 51 thousand 16 taka in the second round of tender and on 24/01/2024, MKT contractor company was again given the responsibility of the model mosque work. The owner of the said contractor company is Mr. Ripon alias Ranga Ripon, who is a leader of the Awami League and is currently in jail, so the construction of the mosque has slowed down again.
The construction of the mosque in Bamna, among the 6 upazilas of the district, has not been completed to date, causing dissatisfaction among the locals. Considering the overall situation, Bamna Press Club President and Upazila BNP Convener Abu Naser Siddique Golam Kibria informed the Barguna District Commissioner and District Development Coordination Committee in writing on 15/10/2025 to remove the contractor company on behalf of Bamna Press Club and complete the construction work quickly. In view of this, Bamna Upazila BNP Convener Engineer Abul Kalam Azad Rana, Upazila BNP Joint Convener Mizanur Rahman Majnu, Upazila Jamaat Islami President Hafez Maulana Saidur Rahman and General Secretary Saifullah Mansur, Upazila Islamic Shasantantra Movement President Alhaj Sobahan Khan, Upazila Jubo Dal Joint Convener Raihan Nazir Dhalu and Upazila Chhatra Dal Member Secretary Sajib Hossain Munna and many other local devout Muslims participated in the human chain organized in the Bamna Upazila Gol Chattar area on Thursday, October 16 at 11 am.
Mr. Sujan, the manager of the current contractor company, told reporters - One of our two owners was in jail in a political case, and after the death of the other, I, Sujan, was in charge of the work on behalf of the late owner and Ripon, his wife, was in charge of the work. Due to the economic crisis, the construction of the mosque slowed down a bit. The work of the model mosque will be completed as soon as possible.
Mollah Rabiul Islam, Executive Engineer of the Public Works Department of Barguna said, "The contractor is being urged to complete the work of the model mosque quickly. If the progress of the contractor's work is not satisfactory, official action will be taken against the company."
