Village demonstrates religious harmony through shared festivals
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In Thenur, a village near Madurai, India, Hindu residents presented gifts to celebrate the reopening of a renovated mosque.
The villagers recently completed reconstruction of the century-old Jumma Masjid with about 80 lakh rupees in local donations. During the inauguration, Hindus offered items like Qurans, metalware, and fruit for the mosque’s madrassa. For years, Thenur has been known for its ban on alcohol and tobacco, and now exemplifies religious cooperation.
Muslims participate in the annual Purattasi pongal festival at the Sundaravalli Amman Temple, donating to the temple and respecting a local practice of abstaining from meat during that month. Hindus reciprocate by offering rice harvests to Alagarkovil temple and offering prayers when the temple goddess’s idol passes the mosque. A Mohammed Riyaz noted that the mosque had not hosted a major celebration in 50 years, making the inauguration especially meaningful.
Villagers also shared a community feast of mutton biriyani, with Jamaath members welcoming Hindu elders with shawls.
