Demonstrations are planned by both parties on the issue on the same day today, one for and the other against the construction.

There is a rumour in the area that some influential people of the locality are out to reap benefit in the name of the mosque’s welfare.

"We don't want a multi-storied market here, we want more mosque area for the musullis (devotees)," said Jamal Naser Chowdhury, convenor of the newly formed mosque protection and expansion committee.

Jamal referred to a showcause notice of March 9, 2004 from Rajuk to the mosque committee barring the construction of the market.

But Abul Kasem Khan, general secretary of the mosque management body, affirmed Rajuk's permission to restructure the market.

"We had a meeting with Rajuk and they will visit the construction site," Kasem said.

Chawkbazar Shahi Jame Mosque was established by the Mughal Subedar Shayesta Khan in 1676. As a waqf property the mosque has been managed by a committee formed by the government as it falls under the purview of the Religious Ministry.

The present mosque committee has been managing it for the last 25 years. The original Shahi Mosque is beyond recognition as it has been expanded and renovated through the ages. What is left of it is only a black stone inscribed in Parsi, a hallmark of Shayesta Khan's regime.

All of the 170 shops -- 60 on the ground floor and 110 in the market adjacent to the mosque -- have been rented out by the committee. The maintenance of the mosque and the payment of staff salaries are done from the rents.

"We need Tk. 1.5 lakh for maintenance. We get Tk. 75,000 from the 110 shops and Tk. 55,000 from the other 60. This is not sufficient for maintenance," added the general secretary.

Aiming at an increased revenue, the committee decided to reconstruct the market. The shop owners have been asked to vacate on the premise that the 110 shops will be accommodated first in the 11-storied Chawkbazar Shahi Jame Masjid Centre, he said.

The building is being constructed at an estimated cost of around Tk 20 crore under the supervision of a foreign company. The building will be constructed on 'turn key' basis, meaning the construction firm will fully invest in the project and recover the investment from the advances and rents.

According to the plan the basement area is 9000 square feet. Basement to 5th floors will house shops and offices, while doctors and lawyers chambers will occupy the 6th floor. The 7th floor will house offices as a Quran and Hadith Research Centre, Imam and Muazzin Training Centre, committee office, computer, CD and recording centre and conference room are planned on the 8th floor, and the 9th will house a community centre, while the roof would be designed for a helipad and restaurant.

The Chawkbazar Shahi Jame Mosque Committee is fearing a confrontation between the two groups and have asked the authorities to take steps to prevent any untoward incidents.