by Hafizur Rahman
Maungdaw, September 12, 2025:
The Arakan Army (ULA/AA) has taken control of 44 shop units belonging to the historic Grand Jamae Mosque in Maungdaw, Rakhine State, sparking deep sadness and frustration among the local Rohingya community.
Control Over Mosque and Committee
According to residents, the ULA/AA reopened the Grand Jamae Mosque on September 12 with an official ceremony. Since then, the group has assumed full control of the mosque’s management and formed a new committee under its own supervision.
Despite reopening the mosque, the ULA/AA has imposed several restrictions. Friday sermons are no longer allowed before the Jumu’ah prayer, the use of loudspeakers for the call to prayer has been banned, and only imams approved by the AA can lead prayers. As a result, the original Rohingya trustees of the mosque have lost their authority.
Historic Mosque Under Pressure
The Grand Jamae Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Maungdaw, built in 1818 by a man named Munshee Ali. His daughter later donated about 198 acres of land for the mosque and its religious activities. For generations, the family managed the mosque and used income from nearby shops to operate a madrasa and provide charity for the community.
Local residents said the 44 shops near Minbar Road were the mosque’s main source of income. With those now taken over by the ULA/AA, they fear the mosque will face severe financial difficulties.
Loss of Religious Freedom
Rohingya residents said the Grand Jamae Mosque is not only a house of worship but also a symbol of their history, faith, and identity. They described the takeover as a deliberate attempt to weaken their control over their own religious institutions.
A new committee formed by the ULA/AA now oversees all mosque affairs. It reportedly includes individuals close to the group, while the original Rohingya trustees were removed without consultation or consent.
Community’s Call for Restoration
“We are heartbroken to see our community’s oldest and most respected mosque fall under the control of an armed group,” one resident told Rohingya Khobor. “This is not just about property. It is about our faith and dignity.”
Local Rohingya leaders are calling on the ULA/AA to return the mosque and its properties to the original committee so that it can once again serve the community freely and peacefully.
