Muslims celebrate Durga puja in Hajipur

A Muslim dominated locality in Hajipur - Anwarpur - is all set to celebrate Durga puja with mass participation of Muslims. Mohd. Muslim, a ward councillor of Anwarpur along with his brothers, is busy collecting voluntary donations from both Muslim and Hindu families so that the Puja can be celebrated in a grand way.

Mohd. Muslim does not eat non-vegetarian food throughout Navratara. He says, "Goddess Durga symbolises 'virtue' and it's our duty to promote virtue in the society which is experiencing social disintegration entirely due to misinterpretation of religion by some bigots."

At Anwarpur Chowk, a huge pandal has been erected beside Shakti temple which was built near a mosque and a mazar by collection of donation.

"At the same time we hear azan (Quran recital) at the mosque and sacred hymns at the temple which gives us a feeling of elation and brotherhood," said Mohd. Muslim.

Apart from Mohd. Muslim, over two dozen Muslim youths led by Mohd. Ayub, Mohd. Nazir, Mohd. Amin and Mohd. Naushad have taken the responsibility of maintaining vigil in and around the pandal.