Integrated Culture

By DH National Editor, *Nizambad town - a picture of peace* - Deccan Herald - Bangalore, India // Thursday, September 23, 2010

Azamgarh: Nizamabad town in UP's Azamgarh district presents a picture of peace and harmony at a time when apprehensions are being expressed in other areas about the possible fallout of the verdict in the Ayodhya title suit case.

In the small town named after Sufi saint Nizamuddin Auliya, a temple and mosque not only share a wall, but people also celebrate together festivals like Eid and Holi.

"In the town, a Shiv temple, Shahi Jama Masjid and gurudwara are located at one place, but we have no dispute," caretaker of the mosque Abul Vaish said.Located on the banks of Tamsa river, this town is an important centre for Sikhs as Guru Nank Dev spent a considerable time in this town.

In 17th century, Mughal emperor Aurangzeb laid the foundation of the Shahi mosque and later another mosque of the Shia sect was constructed by Qazi Abdul Farah.

During British rule, the then zamindar Amrish Singh got a Shiva temple constructed adjacent to the mosque besides earmarking a ground for Ramlila festivities nearby.

"The Ramlila ground is a common place which is being used for fairs during Dussehra and to offer namaz on Eid," local resident Ateeq Ahmad said.

"Integrated culture is the heritage of Nizamabad town. People should take a lesson on communal harmony from this place," Mahant of Shiva temple Bihari Das said.

Ahmad claims that there has been no communal tension in the history of the town.

"As far as Ayodhya issue is concerned media has hyped the matter. If a person is a true citizen of the country, he must respect the court's verdict," he said.

"We should follow the preachings of our gurus who have given the message of unity and harmony," Jathedhar of Gurudwara Charan Paduka Sahib Satnam Singh said.

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