Bihar: Muslims are mourning burning of 113-year-old madressah library in India that once housed more than 4,500 books, including ancient manuscripts and sacred Islamic texts written in beautiful calligraphy. Library was part of Madressah Azizia well-known religious school in Bihar Sharif Town in eastern state of Bihar and was burnt down by large mob on March 31. According to BBC News, incident took place during Hindu festival of Ram Navami.

Rioters were armed with sticks, stones and petrol bombs and allegedly shouted provocative slogans near madressah before attacking it. Incident was one among many that took place in town that day several people were injured and some vehicles and shops were attacked. Police arrested several people in connection with communal violence, and investigation is ongoing.

Witnesses said that mob of hundreds broke locks and front door of madressah and then vandalised it. Some hurled petrol bombs inside classrooms and library, setting them on fire. “Suddenly I could smell smoke,” Abdul Gaffar, cook at madressah was quoted by BBC News as saying. “When I opened door, I saw there was lot of chaos near office. They (mob) had moved towards hostel as well. I got scared and hid under bed.”

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 26 2023

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