Temple leader donates his land for masjid expansion

Mangalore Today News Network

Puttur, Dec 17, 2017: Dakshina Kannada may be considered a communally sensitive region, yet perhaps the right minded are greater in number, but a silent force. There are many instances that prove this. Here is one convincing episode. President of a Hindu temple committee in the district has donated his land to a nearby masjid committee for their expansion plans.

This instance highlights the communal understanding took place at Olemundovu village in Keyyur gram panchayat. Olemundovu Mohan Rai, who is also the president of Eliya Sri Vishnumurthy Temple, donated 12 cents of his land to a mosque located next to his property.

Olemundovu Masjid committee had requested Mohan for the land since they lack sufficient land for their expansion plans. Mohan, who was also participating in programs at the masjid, agreed to handover 12 cents of land to the committee, in the presence of masjid committee president Puthu Monu, khatib Sayyadalavi Thangal Masthikundu, Umar Musliyar and Renjaladi Islamic Centre convener K R Hussein Darimi.

"The masjid is located close to my property and the committee needed additional land. Though we belong to different faiths, we have only one god. Hence, we have to respect all religions. We should not discriminate in the name of religion. God has given me everything and I am donating a part of it," said Mohan.

Hussein Darimi said it was a memorable day for the villagers of Olemundovu. "People should inculcate the generosity that Mohan Rai showed. Hindu-Muslim understanding is common here only exploited by self interest," he added.