The coexistence of a mosque and a temple within the same premises in Patuakhali is setting a remarkable example of communal harmony in the district for over 26 years.
One can hear the sound of Azan from one side of the premises and the sound of Puja from the other.
Followers enter the Kuakata Sagor Soikat Jame Mosque and Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple through the same gate, and the establishments are separated only by a small wall.
Locals said that the Hindu community stops their activities when Muslims come to pray at the mosque. At the same time, they said that children from both religions play in the same field.
According to the sources, Kuakata Sagor Soikat Jame Mosque was established in 1997 and Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple was established in 1996.
Both communities have been bathing in the Kali Mandir premises for almost two hundred years, and since then, the activities of these two religious places have been operating side by side in the same location.
Mawlana Muhammad Yusuf, a teacher of the madrasa of the mosque, said: “I have been seeing the mosque and temple in the same premise for a long time. A Buddhist monastery is also on the other side. We don't have any problem with any of this.”
“Our children play on the same field in the afternoon. We always tell students that everyone in society is interconnected. So they also never create conflict,” he added.
Hafez Haroon Or Rashid, the muezzin of Kuakata Sagar Soikat Jame Masjid, said: "I have been serving in this mosque for 27 years, and there has never been any conflict in the observance of religious activities. We discuss and coordinate with both the mosque and temple committees to ensure everything runs smoothly."
Meanwhile, according to Brahmachari Shishir Maharaj of Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple, thousands of people visit the temple every year before the Ras festival.
“The drums are stopped during Azan and prayers in the mosque. We always strive to maintain religious harmony,” he added.
The Mayor of Kuakata Municipality, Anwar Howladar, stated that communal harmony has existed in the area for many years, and no one has ever hindered anyone's worship.
Both mosques and temples are provided with equal facilities, making it convenient for tourists of various religions to visit the beach in Kuakata.
