Muslims lament the destruction of a madrassah library in India that was 113 years old and once housed more than 4,500 books, including ancient manuscripts and sacred Islamic scriptures written in beautiful calligraphy.
On March 31, a sizable mob burned down the library of the well-known religious school Madressah Azizia in the town of Bihar Sharif in the eastern state of Bihar.
The incident occurred during Ram Navami, a Hindu holiday. Before attacking the madressah, the rioters allegedly chanted provocative slogans while armed with sticks, stones, and petrol bombs.
The incident was one of several that occurred in the town on that day; several people were injured and vehicles and stores were attacked. Several individuals have been arrested in connection with the communal violence, and the investigation continues.
Hundreds of individuals, according to witnesses, broke the locks and front entrance of the madrassah and then vandalized it. Some individuals threw petrol bombs into classrooms and the library, lighting them on fire.
Abdul Gaffar, a caterer at the madrassah, was quoted by BBC News as saying, “I suddenly smelled smoke.” “When I opened the door, I observed a great deal of disorder near the office. They (the crowd) had also moved towards the hostel. I became frightened and concealed under the bed.”
The fire destroyed the entire library, which contained 250 handwritten volumes, historical documents, and antique furniture.
The library was primarily utilized by madrassah scholars. 500 students are enrolled here, with 100 residing in the hostel. However, they were not present as classes had been suspended due to Ramadan.
The damage to the building and furnishings can be repaired. But the loss of knowledge and cultural heritage is irreversible, said Syed Saifuddin Firdausi, president of the Soghara Trust, which manages the madrassah.
According to him, the facility was also targeted in 2017, prompting police to provide a year of security.
Bibi Soghara constructed the madrassah in memory of her deceased spouse, Abdul Aziz. It was originally constructed in Patna City in 1896 before being relocated to Bihar Sharif.
Additionally, Bibi Soghara donated her property, which included 14,000 acres of land, to charity. She established a trust to ensure that the income was used to provide education and other assistance to the impoverished.
The trust used the funds to construct schools, colleges, hospitals, and lodgings in Bihar that are still operational today.
Mr. Firdausi characterizes Bibi Soghara as an “enlightened, socially conscious, and wise woman” who chose to donate her property to the community and the nation rather than to her family.
