In Punjab, Sikh and Hindu Neighbours Are Rebuilding Mosques Lost Since Partition
Villagers in Jakhiwal, Punawal and Umarpura have donated land, money, bricks and labour to restore places of worship.
In several villages in the Indian state of Punjab, Sikh and Hindu residents are helping to rebuild or restore mosques that fell into ruin or were destroyed after the 1947 Partition of India. The effort was highlighted in a Guardian photo essay dated 28 October 2026 and summarised by Good News Network on 3 November.
Three villages, three stories
- Jakhiwal: Bibi Rajinder Kaur, a 77-year-old Sikh woman, urged her grandson to donate land so a new mosque could be built.
- Punawal: Jaspal Sharma, 48, from a family of Hindu priests, donated land for a mosque. It was completed in February, and he hosted a village feast to mark the occasion.
- Umarpura: Local Sikhs helped restore an old Muslim shrine.
Sharma said people of all faiths pitched in. Some gave money, others bricks and cement, and Sukhjinder Pander gave his labour.
"We live as one and no matter what happens in the rest of the country, the mood here is that of love and unity." — Sukhjinder Pander
Why it matters
Partition divided families, homes and communities, and many Muslim residents left Punjab, leaving mosques behind. Rebuilding them is a practical, local way of repairing relationships. Pander said Eid and Gurpurab, the Sikhs' most holy festival, are celebrated by both communities with the same fervour.
Context
These are village-level efforts in a few communities, not a nationwide trend, and a similar restoration effort by other villagers was reported in 2023. Still, they show neighbours choosing to build something together.
