In a heartening display of communal harmony, members of the Sikh community in Malerkotla, Punjab, have donated several acres of land for the construction of a mosque, fulfilling a long-standing demand of the local Muslim community.
The initiative comes amid a rise in Islamophobia across India, making the gesture even more significant. Sikhs not only donated the land but also actively participated in laying the foundation for the mosque.
“For years, Muslims in Umerabad and Amargarh areas of Malerkotla had no dedicated place for worship and had been praying in the open. This concerned us all, and the Sikh community decided to step forward and help,” said Amarjit Singh, a local Sikh resident.
Singh noted that the decision to donate land was unanimous within his family. “The land is worth lakhs of rupees, but not a single family member objected to donating it for a mosque,” he said.
Muslims in the area have expressed profound gratitude. “We are deeply thankful to the Sikh community, who have always supported us. This land donation has made it possible for us to have a mosque for the first time in six decades,” said Mohammed Yasin, a local Muslim resident.
Previously, locals had to travel several kilometers to find a mosque. “This is a joyous moment for our community, and it reflects the deep bond between Muslims and Sikhs in Malerkotla,” Yasin added.
The region has long been celebrated for its harmonious relations between various communities. During the farmers’ protests, Muslims in the area provided food and other essentials to protesting Sikh farmers, further strengthening their bond.
A local Sikh, reflecting on the gesture, said, “We didn’t think twice about donating the land. In a time when religious divisions are being exacerbated across the country, this act is a message of peace and unity. We want harmony, not hatred.”
The foundation of the mosque marks a milestone in the history of Malerkotla, a region that continues to uphold the ideals of coexistence and mutual respect amidst a climate of increasing intolerance in other parts of the country.