Mosque in Uttar Pradesh looked after by a 79-year-old Hindu caretaker

A century-old mosque by the name of Budh Wali Masjid in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, attracts devotees from all faiths. Pandit Rajendra Sharma, a 79-year-old Hindu, is the main caretaker. It was constructed by Pandit Dasi Ram after his wish for a child was fulfilled. Pandit Sharma, who is the fourth generation descendant of Ram, is a devout Hindu. Even then, he cleans the mosque and remembers Allah twice a day.

The mosque is situated in the Naya Tola locality. “Men, women and children, all come here to offer their prayers and the mosque witnesses a huge rush on Wednesdays, which explains its name,” said Pandit Sharma. He used to run a shop in Mandi Samiti.

Pandit Sharma told The Times Of India, “We are not aware of the exact year of its construction, but my family has been taking care of it since the beginning. My late father used to maintain records of the mosque in Urdu.”

“There is a temple next to the mosque and I go there daily to offer prayers. After returning from the temple, I visit the mosque to remember Allah. Even my children visit the mosque daily and they put ghee in an earthen lamp which remains lit round-the clock,” Pandit Sharma added.

Hafiz Janey Alam, the imam of the mosque, said, “Scores of people from all faiths and background visit the mosque. It is a perfect example of communal harmony.”

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