Demands raised to preserve Myoma mosque in Sittwe

The Muslim people in Rakhine State demand to preserve the grand mosque, known as City Mosque (b) Jama Mosque, which is more than 100 years old, situated in the State capital city of Sittwe.

A young Muslim informed that the colonial-era mosque was already closed for worshiping, where the policemen and soldiers have been guarding it. But many drug addicts regularly enter into the mosque, added the youngman.

Due to the lack of maintaining efforts, many portions of the mosque were already devoured by banyan trees.

 "This mosque is over a hundred years old. It is one of the earliest works of the colonial British government. It’s a historical building. We want the government to preserve it considering its historical values," he said.

The mosque was closed for praying during the Rakhine ethnic and religious violence in 2012.

As the mosque is deteriorating with no timely maintenance, the Muslim leaders now ask the government for necessary permission to look after the structure.

"The religious elders are requesting the authority to give permission for its repairment, but they are yet to get it. The government has not taken any initiative for its repairement. So the ancient city mosque may collapse in the coming days," he lamented.

The relationship between the Buddhist Rakhine and Muslims in the State has been improved lately with mutual respect to each other.

According to reliable records, the 160-year-old Jama Mosque in Sittwe was built by U Mohamad Boch and Daw Ill La Hijan Begum in 1859.