Rokshana Pinkey, Rangamati

A traditional Jam-e Mosque in Kaptai Upazila of Rangamati Hill District. It is located at Karnaphuli Paper Mills residential area in Chandraghona Union.

The mosque is known as the 'big mosque' of the locality. However, this mosque is in Kaptai, but it is famous all over the country as a pillar-less aesthetic mosque. Established before independence, this eye-catching mosque has been nurturing a lot of history and traditions till date.

According to the Mosque Management Committee, it was constructed in 1967 inside the Karnaphuli Paper Mills residential area for the convenience of workers and employees from different parts of the country. In 1959, Pakistan's Dawood Group After taking charge Karnaphuli Paper Mills and took the initiative to set up the mosque. And on December 8, 1967, the then chairman of Dawood Group of Industries Ahmed Dawood H.K laid the foundation of this mosque. About 4,000 Muslims can pray together in this 13,000 square feet mosque.

Besides, the attractive structure of this beautiful mosque has impressed people. Especially in the construction style of the mosque, there are various signs of Muslim theology. There are no pillars in the middle except the four walls of the mosque. Inside this beautiful pillarless mosque, the ceiling is constructed of hardboard on a wooden frame.

The mosque has 17 rows with balconies. 120 Muslims can easily stand in each row. There are about 38 lamps in this huge mosque. Besides, there are 23 windows and 9 doors on three sides of the mosque. Also, the mosque has entrance from north-south and east side. And because the mosque is located in an area surrounded by a beautiful natural environment, the inside of the mosque is often quite cool.

Meanwhile, talking to some local residents of KPM area, it is known that the materials used in the construction of the mosque were brought from Karachi at that time. It took a whole year to complete the construction of this mosque. Besides, the locals also said that once when Karnaphuli Paper Mills was passing its golden days, this mosque used to be bustling with the presence of many people almost every day. However, the mosque has now been lost to the Jaulus.

Now most of the residents in Karnaphuli Paper Mills area have reduced. It has also affected the mosque. At present several people gather only on Fridays. Recently visiting the mosque, it can be seen that cracks have appeared in different places of the mosque wall due to age. As well as during the rainy season, rain water enters inside. Somewhere the ceiling has fallen. Locals demanded the immediate renovation of the mosque.

Imam of the mosque. ATM Abdullah said, I have been leading this mosque for many years. As the mosque was not renovated for a long time, water entered through the roof and windows. However, some beautiful work has already been done on the boundary wall of the mosque with the help of some helpful people of the area and the government. Besides, I am calling for quick resolution of the rest of the problems administratively.

While talking to Abdul Aziz Bhuiyan , Member of the Mosque Management Committee, said that this KPM Jam-e- Masjid located in Chandraghona of Kaptai is well known as a long-standing traditional mosque in the region. But at present the mosque is plagued with various problems. Especially with cracks appearing in the walls of the mosque, rain water entered inside the mosque. We have written to the higher authorities to resolve these issues and renovate the mosque.