Dhaka leads as Bangladesh mosques exceed 350,000

Bangladesh is now home to 350,465 mosques, with Dhaka Division accounting for the largest share, according to the latest nationwide data compiled by the Islamic Foundation. The updated figures, prepared using field-level information, also reveal that Sylhet Division has the country's lowest number of mosques.

According to the Islamic Foundation's Coordination Department, Dhaka Division has 71,596 mosques, representing nearly one-fifth of the national total. It is followed by Chattogram Division with 63,703 mosques, Rajshahi Division with 45,879, Rangpur Division with 45,792, Barishal Division with 35,691, Khulna Division with 34,586, Mymensingh Division with 31,212, and Sylhet Division with 22,006 mosques. The statistics underscore the geographical distribution of Islamic places of worship across the country's eight administrative divisions, with Chattogram ranking second and Sylhet recording the lowest total.

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In addition to the divisional breakdown, the Islamic Foundation has also prepared comprehensive district- and upazila-level inventories of mosques nationwide. An official from the organisation said the database was compiled through information collected by the Foundation's local offices, while acknowledging that minor discrepancies may still exist. The official further noted that the latest survey indicates an increase of approximately 40,000 mosques compared with the database compiled during the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting the continued expansion of religious infrastructure across Bangladesh.