The 'Alpana' Cinema Hall in Kalia Upazila of Narail, which was closed about 20 years ago, has now taken the form of a Markaz Mosque of the Tablighi Jamaat. The building, which had been abandoned for a long time, was recently cleaned and made suitable for religious purposes.

It is known that in 1984, the then Deputy Commissioner M. Shafayat Ali inaugurated the building under the name 'Town Hall'. Later, a cinema hall named 'Alpana' was opened in the building. After the hall was closed about two decades ago, the building had been abandoned and covered with bushes for a long time.

Recently, Maulana Shahidul, a member of the 'Alami Shurai Nezam' faction of the Tablighi Jamaat, leased the building and established a 'Tablighi Markaz Mosque' there. It is now being used for religious activities and Tablighi dawa work.

Kalia Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Rasheduzzaman told the media, “There was an Alpana Cinema Hall here 20 years ago, which was later closed. I have heard that it is being operated by someone on lease from the government as a vested property.”

Meanwhile, administration officials said that a modern model mosque is under construction in this area. It is being built to develop Islamic culture and conduct religious activities and the work is now in its final stages.

Many locals are looking at it positively as an abandoned building is being used for religious activities.