The Historical Hajiganj Boro Masjid (Big Mosque) in Chandpur stands as a century-old testament to devotion, philanthropy, and visionary leadership. Its roots trace back to 1931 AD, when Alhaj Ahmad Ali Patwari (R.A.), driven by deep faith and community spirit, established the mosque and endowed a vast tract of his land as waqf. What began as a modest house of worship has evolved into one of the largest and most revered mosque complexes in the subcontinent.
The foundation stone was laid by Hazrat Maulana Abul Farah Jainpuri (R.A.) in 1337 Bengali (1931 AD). The mosque, now spread over 28,405 square feet, became the nucleus of an expansive religious complex that includes Ahmadiyya Darul Uloom Kamil Madrasa, Majidiya Qawmi Madrasa, Moniruddin Monai Hafezia Madrasa, and Muniriya Noorani Madrasa—all under the same waqf estate initiated by Patwari (R.A.).
In the early 1930s, administrative reforms gave the mosque its formal structure. When Aziz Ahmed, the then Sub-Divisional Administrator of Chandpur, visited in 1933–34, he detected internal conflicts among local stakeholders. He soon directed the formation of management rules, enacted on 3 and 27 April 1935, ensuring that the Motwalli—the caretaker or his successor—would remain the permanent custodian. In keeping with this guidance, Haji Ahmad Ali Patwari (R.A.) executed a waqf deed on 21 January 1936, dedicating 1 acre 19 percent of his land to Allah’s name. The waqf was formally registered under the Bengal Waqf Act of 1934 in Kolkata.
Patwari (R.A.) served as the first Motwalli until 1964, guiding the mosque’s operations for nearly three decades before his death in 1968 at the age of 107. His grave remains on the mosque’s southern side, within its white brick enclosure. Before his passing, he appointed his eldest son, Moniruzzaman Patwari, as the second Motwalli. Known for his honesty and leadership, Moniruzzaman expanded mosque facilities and supported local traders, cementing the mosque’s role as both a spiritual and economic center of Hajiganj.
Following his death in 1985, the mantle passed to his son Dr. Mohammad Alamgir Kabir Patwari, a distinguished educationist, founder, and principal of Hajiganj Govt. Model College. Widely respected as the “architect of modern Hajiganj,” Dr. Patwari became the third Motwalli, launching extensive development works. He renovated the mosque, expanded the madrasa network, and introduced educational, training, and employment initiatives that uplifted the community.
In 2020–21, he entrusted the management to his son—the fourth Motwalli—a sociologist, Dhaka University alumnus, and law graduate from the University of London. Simple, disciplined, and idealistic, he continues to run the estate following the principles of his forefathers and the guidance of the Bangladesh Waqf Board and Islamic Foundation. His younger brother, Barrister Shahriar Ahmed, also assists in managing the waqf.
Religious activities at the mosque remain vibrant. For more than 23 years, Mufti Maulana Mohammad Abdur Rouf, Mohtamim of Ahmadiyya Qawmi Madrasa, has served as the mosque’s Khatib, leading the Friday, Jumatul Bida, and Eid congregations. Two Imams and two Muazzins serve under him, including Hafez Shah Emran, who has been calling the azan five times a day for 27 years—now broadcast across the area through a network of about 20 loudspeakers.
Today, the Ahmad Ali Patwari (R.A.) Waqf Estate continues to uphold its founding vision—providing religious education, employment, and community welfare. Each week, thousands of devotees, scholars, and visitors gather at the Hajiganj Historical Big Mosque for prayer and reflection. The enduring management of this waqf estate reflects not only a family’s dedication but also the living history of Chandpur’s spiritual and social heritage.
