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Save Malitola mosque save our heritage

AVIK SANWAR RAHMAN
The conservation of the century old Haji Mainuddin mosque of Malitola still remains uncertain as the archaeology department under the Cultural Ministry is yet to decide on the fate of the mosque due to its waqf property status.
"Whether we will be able to declare the century old mosque a protected area or acquire the mosque for maintenance remains a question," said Dewan Delwar Hossain, the director of archaeology department.
The family members of Haji Mainuddin who inherited the status of mutwalli or caretaker of the mosque are in charge of maintaining the mosque for generations.
In recent years the Malitola area has become a bustling centre of trade, and particularly known for being home to a variety of wholesale markets. At prayer times, the merchants and the shop owners together with the ever-increasing local residents rush for the nearest Haji
Mainuddin mosque for prayers.
One of the grand daughters of Haji Mainuddin, Tasmia Nuzhat Khan, in a recent letter to The Daily Star that the demands of the worshippers and the pressure created by the local Panchayet made the family of Haji Mainuddin reluctantly agree to renovate it. But family members of Tasmia think that the responsibility to accommodate ever-increasing worshippers should not rest with the family alone.
"In no way it is fair to demolish an old piece of archaeology because the 'Philistine' crowd is not sensible enough to preserve its sophistication or artistic grandeur The conservation of this mosque of antiquity, particularly its three magnificent domes essential for keeping alive the valuable tradition and legacy of our rich past for the posterity", wrote Tasmia.
The grand daughter of Haji Mainuddin also appealed for suggestions and advice from the experts and readers of The Daily Star on how to preserve its distinctive features by
keeping the old structure intact.
Architect Rafiq Azam, an expert on urban affairs and managing partner of Shatotto said, "Archaeology department can declare the mosque as protected site so that no one is able to demolish anything without the permission of the archaeology department. A committee could be formed with representation of archaeologists, architects, journalists, the caretaker family and other people who would like to contribute to the conservation of the heritage."
The mosque is named after Haji Mauniddin, a textile merchant, who had inherited the status of its first mutwalli. His father Zangu Bepary and uncle Jan Mohammad had settled by the bank of Dhulai Khal( now a part of English road) in 1890. The mosque was built in 1896 on one and a half katha of land primarily to cater for their family needs. Back then, Malitola was a predominantly Hindu area and there were only two Muslim families including theirs.