Shailakupa Shahi Mosque in need of renovation

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ZM Aminul Islam | Published: April 20, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2024 06:01:00

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JHENIDAH, Apr 19: Built 500 years back, an Islamic edifice of the Sultan dynasty, the Shahi Mosque at Dargapara under Shailakupa municipality of Jhenidah district near the Kumar river needs renovation now.
The mosque premises now covering 2 acres and 7 decimals of land include a Furkania madrasa, a graveyard, an Eidgah and a pond.
Former 'Mataoyali' (caretaker) Mir Shamsuzzaman said many   beauty-loving visitors from home and abroad often rush to Dargapara to have a glimpse of the mosque as well as say prayers here.
The Emam (leader of congregation) of the mosque said lots of men and women come to the holy Sultani architectural site with hens, goats, cash money and other things as promised by them to offer those to the mosque on fulfilments of their prayers.
The mosque was founded by Syed Abdul Kader Bagdadi, an employee under Sultan of Bangla Alauddin Hossain Shah and a disciple of Pir (saint) Shah Mohammad Arif-e-Rabbani alias Arab Shah anytime   during the reign of Alauddin Hossain Shah between 1490 and 1514 AD.
The bodies of Arab Shah (a Bagdadi) and his six disciples including Abdul Kader lie in six graves on the compound of the mosque.
Once a miracle happened in the 'darber' (court) of Arab Shah. The empress of Alauddin Hossain Shah became a disciple of the Pir via somebody. One day while celebrating festivities after conquering some regions, Alauddin found his wife gloomy. The Sultan asked her what had troubled her.
She then told him that both successes and endangerments come from Allah. The beloved wife also said that she had been a disciple of a great spiritual guide Arab Shah and wanted him to seek blessings of the noble man.
When the Sultan sent Arab Shah gold coins for him and valuable dresses for his disciples through his faithful Syed Abdul Kader, the Pir asked the carrier if they were meant for him and threw them into a well.  Abdul Kader saw the things burning in the well and informed Alauddin. Getting angry he urged Abdul Kader to bring back his outgivings.
When demanded, the Pir let Adbul Kader down into the well where the eyes of the latter were opened to see Quran recitation by a number of saints around Arab Shah.
Syed Abdul Kader then resigned his post and became a disciple there who later was reported to have built the mosque taking permission of  his spiritual guide.
Arab Shah had no family but Abdul Kader lived with his wife and children.
It was also reported that Abul Kader's eldest son Syed Saifullah who was in charge of tending the vast property of 11 bighas of land endowed by Alauddin Hossain Shah for the welfare of the mosque was kidnapped by the King of Narail and never was traced.
Present 'Mataoyali' of the state of descendants (the mosque compound) Mir Monowar Hossain said insides of four walls and six domes over the ancient mosque needs repairing.
Md. Shafiqul Islam, Deputy Commissioner of Jhenidah told The Financial Express,  "After getting the history of the mosque, I will either take an initiative  to repair the mosque locally or write to the Ministry of Culture urging renovation.''