Amid cloud-covered hills, endless greenery, and the soothing echo of the Azan, the “Darus Salam Jame Mosque” in Sajek Valley has emerged as a unique destination of spiritual peace for visitors. Located in one of Bangladesh’s most popular tourist spots, the mosque is now regarded not only as a place of worship but also as a symbol of tranquility and harmony in the hills.
Situated at Ruilui Para in Baghaichhari upazila of Rangamati district, the mosque stands at an altitude of nearly 1,700 feet above sea level. It has already gained recognition as one of the highest-altitude mosques in Bangladesh.
Every day, alongside local worshippers, hundreds of tourists from different parts of the country gather at the mosque to offer prayers. Many visitors describe the experience of worshipping amid clouds and mountains as “a different kind of spiritual peace.”
Built on a four-storey foundation, the mosque is approximately 22 feet high and covers an area of 5,265 square feet. The structure features four domes and a tall minaret. It measures 65 feet in length from east to west and 81 feet in width from north to south. Its elegant architectural design blends harmoniously with the natural beauty of Sajek.
Construction of the mosque began in 2020 under a joint initiative of the Bangladesh Army and the Rangamati Hill District Council. On February 2 of the same year, the foundation stone was laid near the Ruilui Para helipad by Major General S.M. Matiur Rahman, the then GOC of the 24 Infantry Division of Chattogram. After nearly two years of construction, regular prayers officially began in the mosque on the first day of Ramadan in 2022.
Currently, the mosque is managed under the supervision of the Baghaihat Zone of the Bangladesh Army. Along with the five daily prayers, large congregations attend Jummah and Tarawih prayers, including both locals and tourists.
The mosque’s Imam said that around two to three thousand tourists visit Sajek daily, while the number rises significantly during holidays and weekends. Previously, tourists often faced difficulties in arranging prayer facilities, but the mosque has now made worship more convenient for visitors.
Tourist Azad Ali from Rajshahi said, “Offering prayers amid cloud-covered mountains gave me a unique sense of mental peace.”
Another visitor, Modasser Hossain Khan from Naogaon, said, “I never imagined there would be such a beautiful mosque on top of the hills in Sajek. Praying here was truly a remarkable experience.”
According to the mosque management committee, water scarcity remains a major challenge in the hilly region. Water for ablution and other uses must be purchased, and the mosque requires nearly 5,000 liters of water daily. The expenses are managed with support from local businessmen, tourists, and the Bangladesh Army.
Constructed on nearly one acre of land, the mosque was built at a cost of approximately Tk 3.85 crore. Locals believe that with the expansion of tourism in Sajek, the Darus Salam Jame Mosque has become one of the country’s most unique religious and tourist attractions.
Surrounded by clouds, hills, and a spiritual atmosphere, the mosque continues to convey a message of beauty, peace, and harmony.
