A mosque and a Hindu temple have stood side by side in the same courtyard in Tangail’s Nagarpur upazila for 56 years, with Muslims and Hindus maintaining a longstanding tradition of religious harmony and mutual respect.
At Chowdhury Bari, the Central Jame Mosque stands beside the Durga temple, where Durga Puja is celebrated every year. During the festival, the temple authorities stop the beating of drums and other loud music when the mosque’s call to prayer begins. The puja activities resume shortly after the prayers end.
The practice has continued for decades without any reported disputes over religious activities, offering an example of peaceful coexistence between the two communities.
The temple was established in 1932 as the Usha Thakur Central Durga Temple. The Chowdhury Bari Club was formed at the premises in 1969, after which Durga Puja began to be celebrated there regularly. The Central Jame Mosque was built in the same courtyard in 1972. Since then, Muslims have offered prayers at the mosque while Hindus have continued their religious rituals at the neighbouring temple.
During Durga Puja, the temple authorities suspend loud music during the call to prayer and congregational prayers at the mosque. Once the prayers end, the drums and other musical instruments resume, allowing both communities to observe their religious practices without disrupting one another.
Hindu worshippers said they had never faced any problems because of the mosque’s proximity to the temple. They credited the longstanding relationship to mutual respect and cooperation between the two communities.
“We have no problems with the mosque beside our temple. Muslims provide us with all possible support, and we also stop our puja activities during the call to prayer and namaz. This harmony has continued for generations. We live together like brothers, and we hope it will continue in the future,” a worshipper said.
Muslim residents also said there had been no disputes between the two communities. They said the temple authorities were aware of the mosque’s prayer schedule and adjusted their activities accordingly to avoid disturbing worshippers.
Abul Kalam, a Muslim resident, said the mosque and temple had shared the same courtyard for decades without any problems. He added that the temple authorities stopped their activities during prayers.
Amrita Saha, who has been visiting the temple during Durga Puja for several years, said Muslim residents regularly helped Hindu worshippers and ensured the celebrations proceeded without disruption.
The mosque’s imam said the Eidgah ground was also located near the mosque and temple, drawing large crowds during religious occasions. He said the temple authorities suspended puja activities during namaz and that Muslims extended their cooperation to the celebrations.
Liton Poddar, president of the Chowdhury Bari Club, said the two communities had never experienced any problems over their religious activities. He said the club followed the mosque committee’s prayer schedule, while the mosque committee also extended its support to the Puja celebrations.
Nagarpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Likhon Banik said the arrangement at Chowdhury Bari reflected Bangladesh’s tradition of communal harmony, with Muslims and Hindus observing their religious practices in the same premises.
He said this year’s Durga Puja, like previous years, was being celebrated peacefully with the cooperation of both communities.
Local lawmaker Robiul Awal Lablu said Hindus and Muslims had long lived and worked together in the area without religious divisions. He added that they cooperated not only during religious festivals but also on various other issues, expressing hope that the longstanding bond would remain strong.
