Ek Dimer Mosjid (Single-Egg Mosque) at Kalaiura village under Gowainghat upazila in Sylhet should be declared as the smallest mosque in Bangladesh as well as in the world.
With its unique sculptural beauty, the mosque bears the signs of unparalleled aristocracy everywhere in the mosque where only eight devotees could say their prayers in two rows- one for the Imam and the other for seven devotees. Regular five times prayers after the Ajans are held in the mosque.
The walls of the mosque are 3.84 metres wide in North-South and 2,95 metres wide in East-West side. There are four towers or Minarets at the four corners of the mosque. The top of the minarets are decorated with three beautiful cornices designed by colourful flowers with vases and a decorated ring surrounding the cornices. The part of the Mihrab is square in size and mingled with the roof. The walls of the mosque are supported with nine decorated, minaret like pillars bearing attractive motifs. There are two graves near the outer walls of the mosque.
Villagers informed, several years ago the enclosures of the graves were nicely decorated. The inner side of the mosque bears an eye-catching architectural sight. There is only one entrance of the mosque. The villagers have decorated the floor of the mosque with tiles.
The mosque is supposed to have been built between 1576 to 1625-during the rule of Subedar Ibrahim Khan. Ibrahim Khan was killed in 1625 and it is thought the mosque was built before the death of Ibrahim Khan.
Many people visit the village to have a look at the mosque. People of the area and heritage experts have demanded to the authorities of the Department of Archaeology to declare the mosque as the ‘preserved or heritage site’. They also demanded to the authorities to take step of declaring the mosque as smallest mosque in the country and the world.
Local UP Chairman Abdus Salam said the Department of Archaeology should come forward to declare the mosque as the heritage site. The mosque should be included in the Guinness World Records as smallest mosque of the world.
Talking to the Bangladesh Post, Abdul Hye Al-Hadi, anthropologist and coordinator of Save the Heritage and Environment, said that the mosque represents the history of Muslims and bears archeological importance. So the authorities concerned must take initiative in this regard. He also said that Ek Dimer Mosjid is the smallest mosque of the country as well as the world.
Ashikur Rahman, assistant commissioner (land) of Gowainghat upazila, said that they heard news about the mosque. They will take step in the regard.
