For over half a century, a remarkable display of communal harmony has unfolded in a small courtyard in Nagarpur Upazila Sadar of Tangail. Here, a mosque, an Eidgah ground, and a Durga temple have coexisted side by side for 52 years, with both Muslims and Hindus practicing their respective faiths in peace.
At the Chowdhury Bari courtyard, the Durga Puja is celebrated with great enthusiasm every year, while the nearby mosque continues to hold its daily prayers. When the call to prayer (Azan) echoes from the mosque, the sound of drums and chanting from the temple pauses, resuming only after the prayer is complete. This respectful coordination between the two religious communities is a testament to their harmonious relationship.
The history of this harmony goes back even further. The Ojha Thakur and Harnath Smriti Central Durga Mandir was founded 92 years ago, in 1339 of the Bengali calendar, by Sri Paresh Chandra and Shailesh Chandra Dasyo. For decades, the local Hindu community has gathered here to celebrate Durga Puja with pomp and devotion.
Forty years after the temple's establishment, the Nagarpur Chowdhury Bari Central Jame Masjid was built in the same courtyard. Since then, both religious communities have coexisted peacefully, practicing their rituals without conflict or tension. The proximity of the mosque and temple has never led to any violence or disagreement.
A visit to the courtyard reveals a lively scene—worshippers chant prayers, ululations fill the air, and the sound of drums accompanies the festivities. Visitors come to offer their devotion at the temple and join the puja celebrations. Yet, as soon as the Azan begins, the temple’s instruments fall silent, allowing the mosque’s prayer to proceed uninterrupted. Once the prayer concludes, the festive sounds return to the temple.
Anil, a long-time resident, reflects on this tradition: "We have been worshiping here for 52 years, with both the mosque and temple. We have no problems. Our Muslim neighbours give us the utmost support, and we pause our puja for their prayers and Azan. This harmony has existed for ages. We are brothers, Hindus and Muslims, living together without any conflict. I hope this peace will continue forever."
Arifuzzaman Sohel, a local resident and the mosque committee’s general secretary, has witnessed this coexistence all his life. "Since birth, I have seen the mosque and temple side by side. The Hindu community holds their puja here, and we support them fully. We ensure that there is no chaos or disturbance," he says.
Liton Kumar Saha Poddar, president of the temple committee, echoes these sentiments: "This temple is very old, and we have always had the mosque next to it. We follow each other's religious practices, and our Muslim brothers are always there to help us. No unpleasant incident has ever occurred, and I hope it never will."
Imam Hafez Maulana Abdul Latif Miah of Chowdhury Bari Central Jame Masjid has served as the mosque’s imam for 37 years. "We have always lived in peace here," he says. "We provide our prayer schedule to the temple so they can pause their activities during Azan and namaz. They ensure our prayers are undisturbed, and we support them fully. After the prayers, they continue with their religious festival."
Even local officials recognise the significance of this peaceful coexistence. Acting Upazila Executive Officer Deep Bhowmik says, "Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony, and Chowdhury Bari is a shining example of this. Here, mosque and temple share the same space, with each community respecting the other's practices. This year’s Durga Puja, like every year, is being celebrated peacefully and in harmony."
For 52 years, this small courtyard in Tangail has demonstrated how two religious communities can live side by side, respecting and supporting each other’s faiths—an enduring symbol of unity in diversity.
NMA