SIKH FAMILY DONATES LAND FOR MOSQUE IN MALERKOTLA VILLAGE

SETS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF COMMUNAL HARMONY

Setting another example of communal harmony in the Muslim-majority Malerkotla, a Sikh family from Jitwal Kalan village in the newly created district’s Ahmedgarh subdivision has donated its ancestral land to build a mosque.

Until now, around a dozen Muslim families residing in the village, situated about 15 kilometres from the district headquarters, had to go to neighbouring villages to offer prayers during Eid and other occasions.

Jagmail Singh, 40, whose family owns a large tract of land, on Tuesday announced to donate 6 biswa (around 8,000 square feet) in the centre of the village to construct a mosque. Muslims from Malerkotla and other villages also assembled at the spot to offer prayers. 

“There are around 12 Muslim families in the village. They have to go to other villages to offer prayers.I knew they could not buy land, as they mostly work as labourers and are poor,” said Jagmail Singh, whose family has been associated with Muslims in the village for three generations. 

Iqbal Singh, 33, another member of the family, said: “The construction of the mosque will start after relaxations in Covid-19 restrictions. We will also try to provide financial aid for its construction.” 

Roshan Khan, 61, a local Muslim, said they have a long association with the Sikh family and have been living in the village for decades. 

Abdul Rashid, 40, a truck driver, said, “We are poor and could not purchase land for building a mosque. Our Sikh brothers have shown a big heart.” 

Gurwinder Singh, a local, said: “Malerkotla has been known as the land of Sikh-Muslim unity for centuries. The initiative to donate land will cement our brotherhood further.” 

HISTORY OF MALERKOTLA

A historic town, Malerkotla is known for communal harmony since Nawab Sher Mohammed Khan had protested against the torture and bricking alive of the younger Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh. The area also remained peaceful during the Partition in 1947.

The roots of communal harmony date back to 1705, when Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh 9 and 7 year old sons of 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, were ordered to be bricked alive by the governor of Sirhind Wazir Khan. While his close relative, Sher Mohammed Khan, Nawab of Malerkotla, who was present in the court, lodged vehement protest against this inhuman act and said it was against the tenets of the Quran and Islam.

Wazir Khan nevertheless had the Sahibzadas tortured and bricked into a section of wall while still alive. At this the Nawab of Malerkotla walked out of the court in protest. Guru Gobind Singh on learning of this kind and humanitarian approach had blessed the Nawab and the people of Malerkotla that the city will live in peace and happiness. In recognition of this act, the State of Malerkotla did not witness a single incident of violence during partition.