BJP MLA Manoj Jaiswal participating in the foundation laying ceremony of the mosque
Mohd Akram / Motihari
When the Muslims decided to build a bigger mosque in place of an old one at Phulwari, 25 km from the district headquarters of Motihari in Bihar, the Hindus were equally enthusiastic about it and participated in the groundbreaking and foundation laying ceremonies.
On May 26, the local Muslim religious leaders and social workers took turns in laying the foundation of the mosque. The Hindus villagers also lent a helping hand in laying the foundation.
Many, including BJP MLA from Dhaka Manoj Jaiswal and Kundan Jaiswal, husband of the current panchayat chief were present in the ceremony of laying of the foundation.
There are two mosques in Badi Phulwaria village. The one being rebuilt was very old and had not enough room for the namaz and congregations. The new mosque will be more spacious and facilitate a very big congregation.
Manoj Jaiswal said that temples and mosques are part of our society. “If we don't take part in their building who will?”
Muslim religious leaders participating in foundation laying ceremony
Talking to Awaz-the Voice, Manoj Jaiswal said that "I will go to attend such functions anywhere provided I am invited be that the construction of a temple or a mosque.” He said he is even ready to offer financial support for the construction of the mosque.
He said: “We do not pay attention to Hindu-Muslim, Mandir-Mosque issues here.”
He said, “today it is a matter of happiness for us that the people of the minority community are building a new mosque.”
He said the owner of the land on which the mosque premises is being built was reluctant to cooperate. People (Muslims) had come to me seeking my intervention. So I managed to convince the landowner to sell his land for we have done the work of getting the land by explaining it.
Foundation laying ceremony of the mosque
Manoj Jaiswal says that "When I went there (for the ceremony), I had Rs 25,000 with me for donating to the project. However, I sensed it was not the right thing to do for me. I will talk to the management of the project and ask if a Hindu can donate to the mosque construction.
At the same time, Maulana Javed Mazahiri said that all the leaders and prominent persons were invited to the foundation laying ceremony. The pictures of Hindus and Muslims laying the foundation stone of a mosque had been posted on social media and have become viral.
.webp "Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the President of Ramakrishna Mission Swami Gautamananda Maharaj")
.webp "Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal")
.webp "Prime Minister Narendra Modi")
