Symbol of religious harmony
Zamidar Kacharibari Puja Mandap and Babur Haat Jame Mosjid (mosque), standing only five metres apart at Babur Haat village in Sonaroy union under Nilphamari Sadar upazila, have remained as a symbol of religious harmony for decades.
Visiting the site on Thursday, this correspondent found a large number of people visiting the venue as Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of Bangalee Hindus, is being celebrated there in a congenial atmosphere.
The priest was seen reciting from scriptures in front of deities at the mandap while the Muslims came for daily prayers at the mosque.
“We consult with mosque management committee about maintaining congenial atmosphere in the area and don't beat drums or play musical instruments at time of Muslims' five times prayer,” said Binoy Krishana Adhikari, 52, president of the puja mandap committee.
“Muslim youths help the Hindus to maintain peace in the area as Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Krisna Puja, Laxmi Puja and daily evening puja are held here. Not a single unwanted incident occurred in more than fifty years,” he added.
Md Fazlul Huque, president of mosque management committee, said, “We maintain friendly relations with puja mandap committee members. We often talk about various issues and invite each other at houses during religious festivals.”
“During puja observance, we keep the sound of mosque microphone at a tolerable level so that Hindu devotees don't feel disturbed,” he added.
Sixty years ago, late Sudha Ranjan Ghosal, a local landlord, donated land to establish the mosque and the puja mondop at Babur Haat.
Leaders of both communities solve problems through friendly discussions, said Mostofa Kamal, chairman of Sonaroy Union Parishad.
Sadar Police Station OC Mominur Rahman said people of Babur Haat area are peaceful and Durga Puja is being celebrated there in a befitting manner.
Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mamun Bhuiyan said, “Zamidar Kacharibari Puja Mandap at Sonaroi union is one of the oldest among 278 Durga Puja mandaps in the upazila. The environment here teaches us the significance of peaceful co-existence among different religious communities.”
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