BIHAR, INDIA, Dec 14, 2002: Muslims are again praying at a mosque in a village in Bihar shut 10 years ago following communal violence, as a result of the initiative taken by a Hindu elder to build religious amity. Hindu residents of Manjor village of Warsaliganj block in Nawada district reopened the mosque that was closed down after the razing of the Babri masjid in neighboring Uttar Pradesh in December, 1992, sparked countrywide violence. Following the trouble, about 40 Muslim families of Manjor village locked up the mosque, deserted their homes and migrated to other villages. The initiative for opening the mosque was taken by Vibhishan Singh, the deputy head of the village council, who contacted Muslims of a neighboring village, surprising them with the news. Singh said, “We invited Muslims of neighboring village to cooperate with us to open the mosque and resume prayers.” This happened last week. Muslims gathered at the mosque and lighted candles after accepting the offer. Hindus of the village have also promised to maintain the Islamic shrine.
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