LUDHIANA: Setting an example of communal harmony, a village of mostly Sikh population has donated land for construction of mosque and the community is even providing food to the workers working at the religious place. Gaggewal in Barnala district , which is around one and half kilometers from Nathowal village, last village of Ludhiana district , has ten Muslim families.“We wanted to construct a mosque in the village but didn’t have land for the purpose. As a result, we had to say Namaz (prayers) at our homes. For Friday and Ramzan prayers, we would go to nearby Nathowal village which has a mosque. However seeing our problem, the majority community came forward and decided to give us common land of village for the construction of mosque,” said Saudagar Khan, a grocery store owner and a prominent young voice of Muslims in the village.“The village has now given us 5 Biswa land for the mosque. With the active support of villagers including Sikh and Hindu brothers, we have started construction work of mosque around ten days ago. It will take us around six months to get the construction work completed. Already a mason and four labourers and many villagers are working for constructing the mosque which will be named as Mecca Madina Masjid”. He added that they have no words to thank the Sikh brotherhood for such a great gift and salute the communal harmony and inclusivity of Punjab which the state is known for.A muslim, Mansa Khan, who is from adjoining village Nathowal in Ludhiana District, said that they were touched to see the brotherhood in the village.“A group of community members went for the roof construction work of the mosque in the Gaggewal village and found that a villager Rajwinder Singh got food for all of us including the labourers working at the mosque site. Also we are happy that villagers are contributing for mosque irrespective of their religion which is a great symbol of communal harmony,” said Khan.The Sikh community members are happy that mosque is coming up in the village.Hargunpreet Singh, a villager who is helping in the construction, said that they are elated that mosque is coming up in the village. He added that they are helping in pious cause in all the possible ways and are involved in construction work as well.Another villager Surjeet Singh said that the village has about 90% Sikh community members and is known for communal harmony and brotherhood.

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