Temple, mosque 038; a happy Indian story

8220;We get very distressed here when we hear about the communal tensions there. It8217;s something we just can8217;t understand. Hindus killing Muslims and vice versa. We believe that in this universe, there is lot of space for everybody. We try to look at things from a rational point of view. We don8217;t let that create any divisions over here. In fact, I refer to many of the elders in the mosque as chachas,8221; says Mahabir Sampath, president of the Couva mandir.

Nodding his head, Imran Khan, president of the mosque, says, 8220;We wonder why these things should happen. Maybe, they are politically motivated. We are Indian people here, our parents have grown together amidst such difficulties, why should we be fighting each other? I have seen many come from India, see this landmark and wonder at how we share one boundary, marvel at our understanding.8221;

Mahabir and Imran agree that it8217;s the little things that have helped them forge the bond. Both the mosque and the temple have shared power during emergencies, the temple offered space in the courtyard to accommodate the Eid spillover last year, elders from the mosque played a key role when the new temple roof was being built, suggesting changes in design when the contractor bungled.

Now both have joined hands to send an application to the government, requesting that the public space behind the wall be converted into a common parking lot.

And then, there8217;s the World Cup. Says Mahabir, a retired chemistry teacher: 8220;Once the West Indies don8217;t win, we will support India. But I am a big fan of Sachin Tendulkar. He has achieved so much in cricket and we are looking forward to him carrying the World Cup back, he8217;s never done that. It will be a great World Cup though, yes.8221; Imran, who runs a confectionary business, laughs out loud: 8220;Of course, we are West Indians so we have to support the West Indians, you know. I am a fan, yes. Remember, my name is Imran Khan!8221;

Both the temple and the mosque came up nearly a 100 years ago 8211; Mahabir8217;s 86-year-old father says the small 8220;kutiya8221;, and that peepul tree were there since he can remember. Today, both have been rebuilt, the temple, still modest but with gleaming tiles, wooden benches, idols of Shiva, Krishna and Durga inside and a large Hanuman outside under the peepul tree, and the mosque with big cream domes and new, red carpets inside. 8220;People usually come to the temple on Sundays and Tuesday mornings. They do their little prayers and things. And you have a lot more on Sunday morning. If they have a full moon katha or a Ramayan reading, many more come,8221; says Sandra Babulal, who lives opposite the mandir, holds the key to the gates close to her chest.

Nearby, Imam Masood Dipoti, who came here from Gujarat two years ago, doesn8217;t wish to recall the turbulent years back home. But he will talk about the prayers he leads every day, the people he meets. 8220;There is absolutely no tension here. Here are people who have grown up with each other. We even have inter-religious marriages, we have no problems with that. Let the children live in peace, let them have a good life,8221; he says.

There are about 2000 Muslims in the area, and about 5000 Hindus, says Mahabir. 8220;As you know, almost 50 per cent of Trinidadians are of Indian origin,8221; chips in Imran. Ask them about India, beyond the communal window, and Imran puffs up his chest. 8220;We grew up together like an Indian community. We see ourselves as people of one nation, a nation that originated in India. Ask me, I have travelled across the world, but when I landed in Mumbai for the first time five years ago, I saw the faces that greeted me, so much like mine, and I knew I was at home. Our forefathers came here as indentured labourers and it was very important for our survival that that we share what we have, help each other. That8217;s what we still do.8221;

Both Mahabir and Imran would love to be there for India8217;s World Cup matches in Port of Spain, over an hour away. The tickets have been sold out, frowns Mahabir, while Imran has no time away from his business. Then, they smile indulgently as Imam Dipoti, a bit homesick, comes out with a little wish of his own: meet Munaf Patel, speak to him in Gujarati.