A Mosque and a Temple Just 20 Feet Apart: In Jagannathpur the Drums Fall Silent at the Call to Prayer, Then the Puja Resumes

In Jagannathpur village, in ward 6 of Jagannathpur municipality in Sunamganj, the Al Madina Jame Mosque and the Jagannath Jeu Central Temple stand side by side — just 20 feet apart. On one side worshippers offer prayers at the mosque; on the other, followers of the Sanatan faith worship at the temple. Their rituals differ, but the two communities have long shared mutual respect and harmony.

During Durga Puja, the temple rings with drums, conch shells and ululation, and the evening aarti is held. But the moment the call to prayer sounds from the mosque, the devotees stop the drumming. Once prayers end, the puja rituals resume. In this way, the two communities have lived side by side as neighbours for years, each observing their own religious rites.

Local residents say that although the mosque and temple stand next to each other, there has never been any dispute over religious observances. Muslim residents stand beside their Hindu neighbours during Durga Puja, and the communities share each other's joy at Eid and at social occasions.

Local resident Abdul Jalil said everyone here observes their own religious rituals together in harmony, just as their forefathers did. Since childhood, Muslims have gone to the pandals to watch the puja, and Hindu neighbours attend Eid and wedding celebrations. No one has ever caused harm to another.

Bibhas Deb, president of the Jagannath Jeu Temple committee, said that after the Jagannathpur Sarbojanin Jagannath Jeu Temple was established, the Al Madina Jame Mosque was built in the same area, only 20 feet away. Muslims practise their faith at the mosque and Hindus at the temple, and despite standing side by side there has never been any problem between them.

Safik Ali, who prays at the Al Madina Jame Mosque, said there is no excess over religion here. As soon as the azaan sounds, the Hindu brothers keep the drumming stopped; when the azaan and prayers end, their activities resume. For years, everyone has practised their faith peacefully, and no one has ever been a cause of annoyance to another.

Bijan Kumar Deb, president of the upazila Puja Celebration Committee, said the Al Madina Jame Mosque stands right beside the Jagannath Jeu Central Temple, and people of the two faiths have long observed their festivals with mutual respect. Their harmony is admired across the upazila.

Jagannathpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Islam Uddin said the mosque and temple stand at the same spot in Jagannathpur village of the municipality, and the people of the area have lived in harmony for a long time. It is a unique example of communal harmony, he said.

At this time of the Sharodiya Durga festival, the scene in Jagannathpur has become an example for many. Two places of worship of two faiths, just 20 feet apart in the same neighbourhood, have made room for mutual respect instead of conflict — sustained by small practices such as silencing the drums during the azaan and standing beside a neighbour on puja days.

Residents hope this understanding, passed down through generations, will remain intact in the future, and that the side-by-side mosque and temple of Jagannathpur will continue to be known as a symbol of harmony.