In Sunamganj's Tahirpur, a model mosque due in 18 months is still unfinished after six years, with work fully stopped for six months

Construction of the Tahirpur Upazila Model Mosque and Islamic Cultural Centre in the Tahirpur Upazila Parishad premises in Sunamganj was supposed to finish in 18 months, but six years have passed and it is still not complete. Progress has lagged from the start amid various complications, and after moving slowly for a long time, construction has been completely stopped for the past six months, growing anger and frustration among local worshippers waiting for the mosque to open.

The work was awarded to the contractor Biswas Builders on condition that construction be completed within 18 months from April 3, 2019, at the upazila parishad premises. The project cost was set at Tk 11.79 crore. However, complications over site selection, demolishing the old mosque, filling a pond, the Covid pandemic, floods and financing meant construction could not start on schedule. Work eventually began in 2020, but six years on the project is still unfinished.

According to the Sunamganj district Public Works Department, under the nationwide project to build 560 model mosques, 12 mosques were planned in Sunamganj's 12 upazilas and one at the district headquarters, at a total cost of about Tk 185 crore. Among them, the Tahirpur mosque has remained unfinished for a long time.

Under the project plan, the model mosques were to include an Islamic training and autism centre, separate prayer space for men and women, a conference room, a guest room and a flower garden, among other modern facilities.

On the ground, the mosque under construction at the upazila parishad premises has been idle for a long time. Construction materials lie there but no one from the contractor is present; one elderly local man was seen looking after the materials. For six years, local worshippers have been praying in a temporary tin-shed building. No one could say specifically when construction will resume.

Local worshipper Harun Rashid said the mosque's work has had problems from the start. They held a human chain last year protesting the failure to finish on time. Work ran for a while after that but has been stopped again for more than six months. He said they want the complications resolved quickly, construction finished and a proper arrangement for their prayers.

Another worshipper, Imran Hossain, said the government allocated so much money yet the mosque still cannot be opened. They believe the work has not finished because of negligence by the department concerned and the contractor, and they demand that the authorities take quick action to open the mosque.

Local youth Tanim Ahmad Lincoln said model mosque construction has finished in various upazilas and activities have started there, but no one can say when their upazila's mosque will be finished. He said the construction should be completed quickly through a good contractor and the mosque opened for prayers.

Islamic Foundation Sunamganj deputy director agriculturist Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain said the Tahirpur model mosque has not been finished in six years because of the contractor's negligence. He said he has spoken with higher authorities and that construction will resume soon through a new contractor.

Sunamganj Public Works Department executive engineer Rabiul Islam said a lawsuit is ongoing with the contractor over the Tahirpur model mosque construction. If the Public Works Department wins the case, a fresh tender will be called and the work given to another contractor, after which construction can start, he hoped.

Tahirpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ripamoni Devi said she has newly joined the upazila and the mosque construction is in front of her residence. Seeing the work stopped, she contacted the departments concerned, and they assured her the work would start quickly, she said.