Along the Barishal–Banaripara road, a gleaming white structure rises into view, immediately drawing the attention of travellers passing by.

The striking landmark is Baitul Aman Jame Mosque, popularly known as the “Gouthia Mosque”, which captivates visitors from all walks of life.

The mosque, spanning 14 acres in Changuria village of Gouthia union under Barishal’s Wazirpur upazila, represents a modern take on classical Islamic architecture.

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Its most imposing feature is a 193-foot minaret that dominates the skyline. The structure also includes 20 domes, including a grand central dome that channels natural light into the prayer hall. Intricate Arabic calligraphy, etched with painstaking detail on both interior and exterior walls, enhances its artistic appeal. A separate mosque adjacent to the main building offers a dedicated prayer space for women.

The single-storey complex provides 13 rows inside, accommodating around 1,200 worshippers, with three additional rows on the verandah.

Beyond the prayer hall, the vast campus includes an Eidgah ground capable of hosting more than 20,000 people in a congregation, an orphanage, parking facilities, a lake, and a large pond. At the entrance, a wide ghat by the water serves as a peaceful gathering space where visitors can sit to rest while gazing at the mosque’s grandeur and the surrounding landscape.

To the left of the entrance stands a unique pillar preserving the legacy of the former mosque.

The pillar was built using soil from 20 sacred sites -- eight from Makkah, nine from Madinah, two from Jeddah, and one from Ajmer Sharif. It also contains a handwritten amulet attributed to Abdul Qadir Jilani (R), two coins from his shrine and water from the Zamzam well.

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While the mosque is impressive in daylight, it becomes even more enchanting after sunset. Soft light illuminates the entire complex, and two fountains at the front create a serene nighttime spectacle.

Nearly two decades after its construction, Gouthia Mosque has grown into a major attraction, drawing visitors from across the country. Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays see the largest crowds.

For Jashim Uddin, a first-time visitor from Jhalakathi, the mosque’s sight was “deeply moving” and its architecture “extraordinary”.

Santu Hawlader, who arrived with his wife and child from Barishal, said he brings his family whenever he can.

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Saifuzzaman Apu, visiting with friends, noted that the mosque has given the entire area a distinctive identity.

Md Lutfor Rahman, caretaker of the mosque, said more than 1,000 people attend the Friday prayers, while visitors from all districts arrive throughout the week. Another caretaker, Mozammel Hawlader, added that people of other faiths also come to admire the architecture.

Security personnel and staff remain on duty round the clock to ensure a safe and welcoming environment.

Constructed entirely at the personal expense of local resident and philanthropist Sarder Sharfuddin Ahmed Shantu, the mosque today stands as both a spiritual sanctuary and one of Bangladesh’s most admired cultural and architectural landmarks.

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