Muslim brothers build Hindu temple

Parsa, August 8, 2016: In a rare example of religious harmony, two Muslim brothers have constructed a Hindu temple in Birgunj-26, Parsa.

Dr Jainuddin Ansari and his brother Basaruddin Ansari constructed the Rameshwor Mahadev Temple at Prasaunibirta at a cost of Rs4.8 million.

The villagers mounted the Ansari brothers on an elephant during a Kalash Yatra (holy march) on Sunday. A formal inauguration of the temple is scheduled for Monday. “I feel the happiest in my life today. Lord Shiva chose us to build his abode,” said Dr Jainuddin. Pointing to a huge number of local Muslims in the procession, he said, “Castes and religions are created by humans but all the people are one family of god.”

Jainuddin is the chairman of the Birgunj-based National Medical College while brother Basaruddin is its managing director. The duo also donated Rs3.5 million to build a mosque, a prayer yard and a graveyard in the village last year.

They had expressed their desire to build a Hindu temple but some people in the community had refused their proposal saying that they would not accept a shrine constructed by Muslims.

“We happily agreed to build the temple as locals and the temple management committee approached us,” said Basaruddin.

“People active in politics don’t know how strong brotherhood the Hindus and Muslims can have.”

The villagers had been looking for funds to build the temple for two decades. “This is a common temple of Hindus and Muslims. We [villagers] are indebted to the Ansari brothers for their help,” said Jagarnath Mahato, the temple management committee chairman.

By Shankar Acharya