While countries neighboring Bangladesh had been engulfed by constant incidents of communal violence, the country which is a golden example of secularism for long, is once again showing the world what peaceful coexistence means through a small district named Moulvibazar.
Moulvibazar’s Sreemangal upazila, a small locality with such great heart, where a Mosque and Hindu Temple has been standing side by side for 73 years, demonstrates true harmony and peaceful coexistence.
The growing instability and intolerance among communities around the world, and Bangladesh to an extent, had no such marks on the people of the locality, who devoted themselves to their respective gods and faiths while respecting other believers with empathy and compassion.
The centuries old Bhairab Temple had been an auspicious sanctuary for Hindus, while just beside it, the Majdihi Jame Mosque–which is standing for 73 years– has been arranging prayers and dua mehfils for Muslim worshippers in perfect coordination and harmony, locals say.
People of both religions have been practicing their respective faiths there and share their experiences, which the locals think help them keep away any sort of discrimination.
Mujibar Rahman, UP chairman of Kalapur union, said the family of Punnya Dutta built the Bhairab temple 200 years ago and the adjacent market is called Bhairab Bazar ever since.
He also said the mosque was built around 1947. Local people and the Majdihi Tea Garden authorities built the mosque with their financing.
Mosque and Hindu Temple seen standing side by side in Sreemangal upazila on Moulvibazar | Dhaka TribuneMaolana Zafar Ahmed, who has been a Khateeb of the mosque for 15 years, said there was not one instance where he had seen any bitterness or chaos among the believers of the two communities.
“Whenever I come out of the mosque, the temple's priest Janmajoy Bhattacharya and I share greetings and good wishes,” the Imam added.
Echoing his remarks, head priest of the temple, Janmajoy Bhattacharya said: “It’s only natural for us to invite over the Muslims, and people from other communities, for our programs and they too attend the festivities with us. It’s been a continuing tradition for at least 25-30 years.
“Whenever we arrange Pujas, Kirtans (group recitation of an idea or story with musical instrument), we keep the sound under control while the Muslims offer their prayers at the mosque and they do the same for us,” the priest said with a smile.
Anwar Miah, a businessman of the area, said the people of both the religions come forward at each other's hour of need. There is no communal problem among the people here.
Dewan Ashfaque, a resident of the area, said sometimes puja and religious hymns are held in the temple till late in the night. These do not create any problem for anybody. Rather every day Muslim devotees and adherents of the Hindu faith go to their respective religious entities regularly.
Where most of the world is fighting for establishing their beliefs over others, the people of Moulvibazar are teaching the world how to be respectful of each other, said an official of Sreemangal UNO office.