Model mosque cost hike to be investigated: Home Minister

The increase in construction cost of model mosques from Tk 13 crore to Tk 21 crore will be investigated, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said.

Responding to a supplementary question from Noakhali-2 MP Zainul Abedin Faruk during parliament on Monday, July 13, the minister said the cost hike of each mosque would be examined, and other government agencies may also be involved in the investigation.

Faruk alleged that despite allocations of Tk 13-21 crore per mosque, many were built with substandard quality. He cited the Senbag Model Mosque in his constituency, saying the roof leaks and the entrance is difficult to access.

Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal also raised the poor condition of a model mosque in Durgapur, which locals have nicknamed the "Taj Mahal of Durgapur".

The home minister acknowledged the model mosque initiative as a good one but questioned whether the cost estimates were reasonable. He said the cost hike would be investigated.

Parliament was also informed that 5,37,550.98 acres of Waqf property are registered in the country, of which 27.53 acres have been recovered. The government is providing honorariums to 13,949 religious service providers, including imams, muezzins, priests and others.