Bangladesh Railway has allocated land in the city's Khilkhet area for the construction of two mosques and one temple.
The allocation letters were handed over to the management committees during a programme at Rail Bhaban, read a press release issued on Wednesday.
Of the allocation, 0.2011 acre (8760 sq ft) of land was allotted for Khilkhet Railway Jame Mosque, 0.0552 acre (2405 sq ft) for An-Noor Jame Mosque, and 0.0562 acre (2450 sq ft) for Khilkhet Sarbajanin Sri Sri Durga Temple. These plots have been allocated at the symbolic price fixed by the railway administration.
Speaking at the event, Railway Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan said, "Before last year's Durga Puja, I was informed that a puja mandap had already been set up temporarily on the railway land. I told them to remove the mandap after the festival, however, it was not removed. Later, when the railway authority needed that land, not only the mandap but, all illegal infrastructures there were removed.
"Later, in a video clip, we saw the idol lying on the ground. I inquired about the matter and apologised to those concerned. During the discussion on allocating land for the temple, I came to know that similar problems existed with mosques. Therefore, along with a temple, land has been allocated for two mosques."
Religious Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain, Primary and Mass Education Adviser Bidhan Ranjan Roy Podder, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Sheikh Moinuddin, Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, Secretary to the Ministry of Railways Fahimul Islam, and General of Bangladesh Railway Afzal Hossain, among others, were present.
The religious affairs adviser has hailed the allocation of railway land for mosques and a temple as a unique example of communal harmony.
"Bangladesh is a role model for communal harmony and goodwill. Yet, isolated incidents do happen occasionally. Those who try to desecrate religious institutions or places of worship have no religious identity, they are miscreants and criminals," he said.
Addressing the mosque and temple officials and local residents present at the event, the adviser urged, "Any actions that disrupt harmony must be stopped collectively. First, we will have to try to prevent such acts ourselves; if that fails, we will take strict measures through law enforcement agencies."
He also said the ministry will provide maximum assistance to recover the lost Debottar Property (charitable endowment) of the Hindu community, which is not currently involved in any court cases.
Praising this initiative of Bangladesh Railway, Education Adviser Bidhan Ranjan Roy Podder said, "This is an exceptional event. It has set a unique precedent. The martyrs and injured of July dreamt of a discrimination-free Bangladesh regardless of religion, race, or class, and together we will realise that dream."
Calling it "a historic event," Jayanta Kumar Deb, president of the Metropolitan Sarbojanin Puja Committee, expressed gratitude to everyone in the railway department.
Comments