“The mosque is inside the local fort and was closed since Partition in 1947. The Sikh community repaired and opened it on the occasion of Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary because of memories of the Sikh Guru linked with the mosque”.
Masihuzzama Ansari | India Tomorrow
KAPURTHALA(PUNJAB)—The Sikh community and their religious leaders have handed over to Muslims a 550-year-old mosque in Sultanpur Lodhi town that was locked and in a dilapidated condition since Partition in 1947.
After repairing the mosque, the Sikh community members themselves invited local Muslims as also Muslims religious leaders from different parts of the state to inaugurate the mosque by offering “Shukrana” prayers.
There are several memories of Guru Nanak Dev associated with this mosque. Local people say that founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak Dev had himself offered Namaz (Muslim prayer) in this mosque.
The decision to reopen the mosque was taken during the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev. A joint function of the Sikh and Muslim religious leaders was held inside the mosque itself in which Sikh and Muslim leaders expressed their views. The Friday congregational prayers that was held before the function, was named “Shukrana” prayers.
Among those who took part in the programme included Sikh religious leaders Sant Sukhdev Singh and Sant Balwinder Singh. From the Muslim side included Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH), Punjab unit President, Abdul Shakoor, Maulana Syed Mujtaba Yazdani, Dr. Shahzad, Dr. Irshad and several others.
A large number of Muslims from Malerkotla, the only Muslim majority area in Punjab, also attended the joint function and offered congregational Friday prayers in the mosque opened for the first time after 1947.
Giani Avatar Singh from Malekotla Gurudwara told India Tomorrow, “It was a very good programme that was very important for both Muslims and Sikhs. It was important for Muslims because they offered prayers in a mosque that was locked for decades and for Sikhs, it was important because Guru Nanak Dev had offered Namaz in this mosque”.
JIH’s Abdul Shakoor said that the opening of the mosque was in the chain of different programmes being organised on 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nank Dev Sahib. “The mosque is inside the local fort and was closed since Partition in 1947. The Sikh community opened it on the occasion of Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary because of memories of the Sikh Guru linked with this mosque”.
“Guru Nanak Dev spent about 14 years in Sultanpur Lodhi. He offered prayers in this mosque. He had very close relations with Muslims. One of his disciples was also a Muslim. Muslims and Sikhs have a common and friendly history”, said Abdul Shakoor. It may be recalled that several Muslim mosques closed since Partition in 1947, were repaired and handed over to Muslims by the Sikh community in the last few years. It was in Sultanpur Lodhi that the Sikh Founder is said to have attained enlightenment and declared here that there is only One Supreme Reality (Ik Onkar), the central tenet of Sikh religious philosophy. In fact, the Sikh holy scripture Guru Granth Sahib begins with words, “Ik Onkar”.
Another participant in the programme Zamir Ali Zamir said that the programme began with recitation of verses from the Holy Quran. Dr. Irshad spoke on the theme of Guru Nanak and Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him). Dr shahzad spoke on Guru Nanak and human rights. Maulana Mujtaba Yazdani spoke on the subject of Guru Nanak and Islam.
A great gesture and a lesson to everyone who make issues of religion when they have nothing to prove and have no knowledge of religion except a few verses to prove their existence. Waheguru rakha
You sound so much like Islam..
Nothing to prove only bullying and a few verses to prove superiority..
These ‘peaceful’ gestures will come back to haunt your community hard..
That’s so great, only if there was so much love all over the world, we would all be living so happy and grateful to each other
Respect to the Sikh community. The Hindus could learn a thing or two from the sikhs
This is a great example of broadhood, and after all we are fellow Indian,our ancestors have taught us to live in peace and love.
Very good gesture my question is : Will this effort be recognized in India and amongst the Muslim communities?
I am very proud to be a SIKH, we should encourage such joint ventures to bring awareness to humanity.
A great effort in the way of humanity n brotherhood. It is a lesson to those who spread hatred in the name of religion which will only break India n not build India. Its need of the hour to build strong India. Heartfelt salutes to Sikh Brothers n all likeminded people.
Islam and Sikhism are monotheistic doctrines and hence believe in the One True God, Rab or Allah or whatever name you like!
Hence if Hindus get rid of idolatory and go back to the Vedas and Puranas, they too would find there the One True God!
Hope Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus go back to this One True God whether you name Him Allah, Rab, Permatma or by any other respectful name!
India would then be great again and have had found their COMMON God!
We have much to learn from the Sikhs . A tiny community world wide, whose services to mankind is massive and second to none. One day perhaps their slogan “Raj karuga Khalsa may indeed come true.
God is One!!
Almighty we Believe and Trust!!!
Dhan dhàn Guru Nanak Dev Ji…
Waheguru Tuhi2 !!!