Mosque Comes Alive with Hindu Caretakers

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Hatia (Gaya), BIHAR, INDIA, Sep.9 (ANI): Setting an example of Hindu

and Muslim amity that exits in many parts of the country, Hindu

families in Gaya village take care of their village mosque with full

respect, even when the place is devoid of any Muslim.

 

Located in Hatia Village near Sherghati in Bihar's Gaya District, the

barren mosque happens to be the only mosque in Hatia, a Hindu

dominated village. The mosque was in ruins for long.

 

Disappointed to notice dilapidated state of the mosque, a few Hindu

families under the guidance of Kishori Singh, 65, took initiative and

had the mosque repaired.

 

The noble gesture of Hindu brethrens has motivated the Muslims,

residing in neighbouring villages to visit the mosque for their daily

Namaaz (prayers).

 

" We are thankful to Kishori Singh who got the mosque repaired. It was

in a bad condition, as its walls had cracked. It had no gate. There

was water-logging inside. Today, the place is in a better condition

and, hopefully, it will be further repaired, " said Sarfaraz Ahmed, a

Muslim devotee from a nearby village.

 

Kishori Singh, however, believes the residents in his Hatia Village

have great faith in the mosque since it is a place of worship and the

Supreme Lord is same no matter we address Him as " Allah " or " Bhagwan " .

 

Kishori said: " We, the residents of Hatia, go to many mosques. For us,

both temple and mosque are equally revered places. "

 

" It is shameful that people fight in the name of religion and caste.

In our area, everyone lives in complete harmony. For us, God is one, "

said Ravi Ranjan, another villager.

 

In India, Islam is the second-most practiced religion after Hinduism.

 

There are approximately 174 million Muslims in India or 16.4 per cent

of the total population. The county has the second largest population

of Muslims in the world after Indonesia. (ANI)

 

SOURCE: News India (ANI). Gaya mosque comes alive with Hindu

caretakers, By ANI Sunday September 9, 08:04 PM By Surya Pratap Singh

URL: http://in.news./070909/139/6kith.html