Preservation of historic Hurar Kanda Mosque in Sunamganj demanded
By Muhammad Aminul Haque
SUNAMGANJ, March 15, 2026 (BSS) - Standing quietly beside the flowing Dhopajan river in Surma union of Sadar upazila, the historic Hurar Kanda Jame Mosque continues to bear witness to the passage of time.
Residents of Hurar Kanda village are now urging authorities to take steps to preserve the mosque, which has become an important symbol of local heritage and haor culture.
Located in a low-lying haor region near the border of the Indian state of Meghalaya, Hurar Kanda village transforms dramatically during the monsoon. As floodwaters rise, the settlement appears like a small island floating on water.
The nearby Hurar Beel and the Dhopajan river, which originates from the hills of Meghalaya and flows into the Surma basin, shape the geography and livelihood of the local people.
According to elderly residents, their ancestors settled in the village during the British colonial period. Abu Nasar, a local resident, said the forefathers of the village—including the late Haji Bashir Uddin and Kafil Uddin—arrived from Bariya along with eight brothers and established the first homesteads.
Initially, the area was dense forest locally known as “Kanda.” After clearing the jungle, settlers built homes and gradually expanded the village. Today the community includes two mosques, a primary school, and a maktab.
Historically, people in the area relied heavily on fishing in the nearby Hurar Beel. Over time, strong currents from the Meghalaya hills transformed the beel into a river channel, bringing large amounts of sand and stone. Collecting and selling these natural resources eventually became a major source of livelihood for local residents alongside rice cultivation.
Village elder Abdul Wahab, 90, said that as the population grew after the partition of the subcontinent, community members decided to build a mosque.
“In 1948, the late Usman Gani took the initiative and donated land for the mosque. The whole village then came together to build it,” he recalled.
The mosque was constructed using bricks and mortar, with brick makers brought from Brahmanbaria and skilled masons hired from Sylhet. The structure’s design is admired for its aesthetic beauty. From a distance, locals say it resembles a miniature Taj Mahal, reflecting the craftsmanship and dedication of the builders.
Inside the mosque, the cool airflow creates a naturally comfortable environment that continues to impress visitors.
Over the years, the mosque has drawn visitors from various parts of Bangladesh who come to admire its architecture and serene riverside setting. However, the structure now faces threats from riverbank erosion.
Concerned about its safety, villagers built a protective wall around the mosque using their own resources. Despite these efforts, locals say further protection measures are necessary.
The mosque also faced severe challenges during the devastating floods of 2022, when the entire structure was submerged under water. The incident attracted attention from journalists and visitors who traveled from the capital to document the situation.
The lifestyle of the Hurar Kanda community reflects the broader haor culture of Sunamganj. During the monsoon, boats become the primary means of transportation as surrounding lands remain underwater. In the dry season, roads reconnect the village to nearby areas.
Residents mainly earn their livelihood through rice farming, sand extraction, and fishing, while maintaining a simple lifestyle deeply influenced by local spiritual traditions.
During the holy month of Ramadan, the mosque becomes crowded with worshippers. As space inside the building is limited, a tin-roofed extension has been added to the veranda to accommodate additional devotees.
Local religious scholar Mufti Maulana Azizul Haque said the mosque carries historical and emotional significance for the community.
“Our ancestors once lived in this village before moving to the neighboring village of Muslimpur. Preserving this mosque means preserving our memories and heritage,” he said.
Residents are now urging the concerned authorities to take steps to conserve the historic Hurar Kanda Jame Mosque, ensuring that this unique architectural landmark of the haor region survives for future generations.
