Rizwan Malik/Bareilly
When the creator of all human beings is one; why do people pray in different places – Hindus in a temple, Muslims in a mosque, Sikhs in a Gurudwara, and Christians in a church?
They do. It happens in Bareilly, a city in the north Indian State of Uttar Pradesh where a mosque is a place of worship for people of all religions, especially on Wednesdays. This tradition is linked to its unique history.
Panditji’s mosque also called Buddhawali mosque is located in the Alamgiriganj Nyatola locality of, Bareilly, and its caretaker is a Hindu family.
On Wednesdays, the mosque is full of the townsfolk of all religions. Even women attend the congregation inside the Panditji’s mosque. People pray in their respective ways to the Creator.
People have a belief that prayers made here are heeded by the Almighty and there is a story behind it.
People praying on a Wednesday inside the mosque
Many many years ago, Pandit Dasi Ram had no children. He vowed to build a mosque in case the Almighty blessed him with a child. His prayer was accepted and Allah blessed them with one. Dassi Ram fulfilled his promise to the Almighty.
Knowing well that a mosque is authorized to be built with money and on the land of Muslims Dasi Ram went around raising donations from Muslims. He, however, oversaw all the construction of the mosque.
Hafiz Jan Alam, Imam of the mosque, says that the mosque is centuries old. It was just a platform where people came to offer namaz when Pandit Dasi Ram built it.
The Buddhwali Masjid is located in Naya Tola Mahalla, Bareilly and the key to the Masjid premises is with the descendants of Pandit Dasi Ram.
Pandit Rajendra Kumar was Dasi Ram’s grandson and he used to take care of the mosque before he passed away a few months ago. His son is a businessman and is not as involved in the mosque affairs yet remains its custodian.
In some old videos available on the internet, Rajendra Kumar says after his ancestor Dasi Ram, his descendants have been looking after the mosque and are also its custodians. He said Dasi Ram was educated in a Madrasa and knew Urdu well.
Rajendra Kumar died recently and now his family takes a keen interest in the maintenance and upkeep of the mosque premises.
A woman devotee inside Panditji's mosque
The imam of the mosque, Hafiz Jan Alam Khan Saqalini, told Awaz-the Voice that the late Pandit Rajinder Kumar used to open the lock of the mosque in the morning and he also took care of.
After his passing away one set of keys is also with him. He says if a person wants to visit the mosque in his absence, he knows that he can procure the keys to it from Pandit’s family.
Although prayers are offered daily in the mosque, the number of worshipers is higher on Wednesdays. Besides Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, etc. visit the mosque to offer prayers. Everyone believes that the lord grants the wish made in this place of worship.
Sanjay Kumar Sharma, the current administrator of the mosque, says that the mosque is crowded on Wednesdays. People come here for prayers and vows. People from all sects come here.
He says that there is a temple near the mosque and those who come to the temple also come to the mosque and pay obeisance. “This is our Ganga-Jamni culture and inbuilt communal harmony,” he says.
Interestingly, though there is very poor attendance of Muslim Women in mosques, where women of all faiths come in equal numbers.
Imam Jan Alam outside the Panditji's mosque
Naseema, who has been coming to the mosque for 45 days regularly says that Allah has granted her all her wishes.
In Panditji's mosque, there is provision for women to pray and worship
Abdullah says that he had been coming to the mosque for prayers for about one-and-a half-year. His father and grandfather would come here daily.
“I have to proceed on a life journey and by praying here Allah will make my journey easy. I have prayed here and asked Allah to make my journey successful.”
He says he would return from abroad after two years and would visit the mosque for thanksgiving.
Imam Hafiz Jan Alam Khan Saqalini, who has been working as an Imam for 20 years says, the area has brotherhood and harmony among people of different faiths.
He says that people of all religions, including Hindus and Sikhs, come to the mosque.
Sardar Anderjit Singh says that he is a granthi of the Gurdwara, and always comes to the mosque and prays there.
Speaking with Awaz-the Voice, Sharma says that I have heard from my elders that my grandfather had built a mosque. I have seen my father taking care of the mosque. Now I am in charge of the mosque but I am a businessman and I don't get time to serve the mosque. However, any new constructive work or renovation work of the building has to be done with my permission.
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