The military council has forcibly closed and seized the historic Gat Dan Mosque in Sagaing city, which was damaged by the March 28 earthquake, according to the Islamic community in Sagaing. The mosque, which is over 120 years old, was ordered to be removed within three days in mid-May by the military council, and was finally sealed off on the evening of May 27. The mosque, which serves as the main place of worship for Muslims in Sagaing city, is located within the police station compound and adjacent to the Sagaing City Police Station.
Both the mosque land and police station land were purchased and donated in 1902 by Major Rahim Baksh, who had received the British Indian Viceroy’s medal during the colonial period, as a single donor. Despite having valid documentation of land ownership, the military council refused to allow repairs and forcibly seized the mosque. The Islamic community appealed to Naypyidaw to cancel the removal order for the Sagaing Gat Dan Mosque but received no response. The mosque has significant historical importance as it has stood for over 120 years and was established through proper legal channels during the colonial period.
The March 28 earthquake damaged more than 50 mosques in major cities including Mandalay and Sagaing. The military council has imposed strict restrictions on rebuilding and demolishing mosques and Christian churches, requiring them to maintain original designs and obtain military council permission for any work. However, Buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries are allowed to be freely reconstructed. In the case of the Sagaing Gat Dan Mosque, despite having clear land ownership documentation, the military council seized it without providing any justification. This demonstrates the discriminatory treatment of religious buildings by the military authorities, who have allowed Buddhist religious buildings to be rebuilt freely while placing severe restrictions on mosques and churches, ultimately leading to the unjust confiscation of this historic mosque despite its clear legal status and documentation.
