A mosque built and cared for by Hindus

BAREILLY: A century-old mosque known as Budh Wali Masjid that attracts devotees from all faiths has Pandit Rajendra Sharma, a 79-year-old Hindu, as the main caretaker. Interestingly, it was constructed by Pandit Dasi Ram after his wish for a child was fulfilled. Sharma, who is the fourth generation descendant of Ram, is a devout Hindu but he cleans the mosque and remembers Allah twice a day.

The mosque is situated in a narrow bylane in Naya Tola locality here. "Men, women and children, all come here to offer their prayers and the mosque witnesses a huge rush on Wednesdays, which explains its name," said Sharma, who used to run a shop in Mandi Samiti.

"We are not aware of the exact year of its construction, but my family has been taking care of it since the beginning. My late father used to maintain records of the mosque in Urdu," said Sharma.

"There is a temple next to the mosque and I go there daily to offer prayers. After returning from the temple, I visit the mosque to remember Allah. Even my children visit the mosque daily and they put ghee in an earthen lamp which remains lit round-the clock," he said.

Hafiz Janey Alam, the imam of the mosque, said, "Scores of people from all faiths and background visit the mosque. It is a perfect example of communal harmony."