Ludhiana: In a remarkable gesture of communal harmony, a Sikh family originally from Samrala and now residing in the United States has donated two shops to facilitate the expansion of Jama Masjid in the town.
Harsimrat Singh Dhillon, representing the donor family, officially handed over the keys to the mosque management during a ceremony on March 14. The event coincided with multiple religious observances, including Hola Mohalla, Holi, and Friday prayers during the holy month of Ramzan. Dhillon expressed his happiness in contributing to the mosque’s expansion and stated that the donation had been in his thoughts for a long time.
The expansion project, overseen by Haji Muhammad Nazir Bhamu, will add approximately 23 square meters (28 gaz) to the mosque. Bhamu also acknowledged that members of the Hindu and Muslim communities had initially approached the Sikh family regarding the donation. Additionally, three Hindus and one Muslim have also contributed their shops for the mosque’s expansion.
Mohammad Gufran Salmani, a mosque committee member, highlighted the historical significance of the donation, explaining that the Waqf Board had allocated the shops to the Sikh family decades ago. The family had previously operated a medical store in the premises before moving abroad around the year 2000.
Gulzar Muhammad, estate officer of the Punjab Waqf Board, praised the family’s generosity, emphasizing that the donated space would be used exclusively for mosque purposes. The expansion will enhance the mosque’s capacity, allowing at least 20 additional worshippers to pray during congregational gatherings.
The noble gesture has been widely appreciated, reinforcing the spirit of interfaith harmony and goodwill in the region.
