When Sri Sathya Sai Built a Mosque... (A Photo Feature)

August 1978

Sri Sathya Sai with Muslim devotees at the inauguration of the mosque at Puttaparthi

Swami in His infinite compassion built a mosque for the Muslims of Puttaparthi as they did not have a place of worship in their village. The construction of the mosque was completed and consecrated in time for the Ramzan festival in August, 1978. Swami welcomed the Muslims inside Prasanthi Nilayam on Ramzan and they sang the predawn Ramzan hymns in the Divine Presence. Swami graciously visited the mosque on that day. 

Sri Sathya Sai heading to the mosque in a procession

A large number of Indian and foreign devotees and villagers of all faiths were present to share in the joy that Swami gave the Muslims that day.

Sri Sathya Sai interacting with the Muslim devotees

Sri G. Fakhruddin, the Convenor of the Village Mosque Committee, expressed his gratitude to Swami on behalf of all the Muslims. Prof. S. Bashiruddin, Head, Department of Communication and Journalism, Osmania University, Hyderabad, spoke on the universality of Swami’s message. 

Prof. Bashiruddin to the right of Baba at the inauguration of the mosque

Swami then delivered a Discourse. At the end of His Discourse, Swami created 7 silver lockets, each with the Arabic Inscription, ‘Allah’, and gave them to the Convenor to be distributed to the committee members. 

The mosque as it stands in Puttaparthi

Swami was cheered in great devotion by all the villagers. The Muslims sang Telugu and Urdu poems praising Swami’s love and compassion.

Source: Sri Sathya Sai Digvijayam Part 1 (1926-1985)