In Narayanganj’s Siddhirganj area, hundreds of worshippers staged a protest and human chain on the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway on Friday, demanding punishment for businessman Shahidul Islam, accused of demolishing a mosque built on waqf land. The demonstrators alleged that Shahidul, along with associates Abdul Hannan and Suman, illegally tore down the mosque to construct a commercial building, claiming ownership of the land through forged documents. Religious leaders and local political figures, including Siddhirganj BNP’s general secretary Iqbal Hossain, vowed that no new structure would be allowed on the site except for rebuilding the mosque. The mosque, originally built in 1992 and officially registered as waqf property in 2002, was reportedly demolished without community consent. Shahidul Islam defended his actions, stating the mosque was being reconstructed due to waterlogging issues and that the new building’s lower floors would still serve as a mosque. The incident has sparked widespread anger among local residents and religious groups.