The historic ‘Sachi Chowdhury Jame Mosque’ in Cox’s Bazar is steeped in mystery and known to many as the ‘Gayebi Mosque’ (Invisible Mosque) and others as the ‘Potka Mosque.’ The true origins of this mosque—who built it and in which era—remain unknown.
Believed to be the first mosque in Cox’s Bazar, the site continues to intrigue locals and visitors alike. Many locals believe that jinn come to pray here at night, and the deeper the night gets, the more the jinn are said to gather.
The mosque is situated on the eastern side of the road, adjacent to the BGB camp in Cox’s Bazar town. It stands with its dome amid paddy fields in Ward 5 of the municipality, north of the bus terminal, within the BGB Camp area.
A visit to the site reveals that the mosque is relatively small in size, with a large pond (dighi) located on its northern side. Inside, the mosque measures 23 feet from north to south and 14 feet from east to west.
Its external dimensions are 26 feet wide (east-west) and 34 feet long (north-south). There is a small veranda, approximately five to six feet wide, located on the eastern side, opening onto a courtyard.
According to the mosque management committee, no one knows with certainty who built this mosque or exactly how old it is. However, many believe that the mosque is at least 400 years old, adding to its aura of mystery and spiritual significance in Cox’s Bazar.
By Mohammad Morshed
Photo: Mohammad Morshed:
