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Muslims in India are lamenting the loss of a 113-year-old madressah library that previously held more than 4,500 books, including historic manuscripts and sacred Islamic writings etched in exquisite calligraphy.
The library of the Madrassah Azizia, a renowned Islamic school in the town of Bihar Sharif in the eastern state of Bihar, was destroyed by a sizeable mob on March 31.
According to the BBC, the incident took place on the Hindu holiday of Ram Navami. The protesters are believed to have yelled inappropriate chants nearby before attacking the madrasah. They had sticks, stones, and petrol bombs at their disposal.
The incident was one among many that took place in the town that day — several people were injured and some vehicles and shops were attacked. Police have arrested several people in connection with the communal violence, and the investigation is ongoing.
Witnesses said that a mob of hundreds broke the locks and front door of the madressah and then vandalized it. Some hurled petrol bombs inside the classrooms and library, setting them on fire.
“Suddenly I could smell smoke,” Abdul Gaffar, a cook at the madressah was quoted as saying in BBC News report. “When I opened the door, I saw there was a lot of chaos near the office. They (the mob) had moved towards the hostel as well. I got scared and hid under the bed.”
The library’s contents, which included 250 handwritten volumes, old photographs, and historical papers, were completely destroyed in the fire.
The madressah students were the main users of the library. There are about 500 students studying here, and 100 of them stay in the dorms. However, since courses had been suspended due to Ramazan, they weren’t inside the building.