An act of communal harmony has emerged from northern Tripura, where three Hindu families were left homeless after a fire destroyed their homes in Gournagar, Kailashahar.
The blaze, caused by an electrical fault, consumed their modest houses, furniture, and daily essentials, leaving 14 people, including children and elderly members, without shelter in the cold.
Aftab Ali Steps In
Amid the crisis, a local Muslim youth, Aftab Ali, stepped forward without hesitation. Opening his home to the affected families, Ali provided all three rooms to accommodate them.
“I could not see them suffer. In times like this, religion does not matter. They are our neighbours first,” he said.
Beyond providing shelter, Ali ensured the families had everything they needed to survive the immediate aftermath. He arranged cooking utensils, gas cylinders, bedding, ration supplies, and other essentials, helping the families maintain dignity during a time of sudden loss.
Sheikh Foundation Joins Relief Efforts
The relief extended by Ali was soon supported by the Sheikh Foundation, which delivered a vehicle full of one month’s ration, clothes for all family members, and educational materials for the children.
Maqbool Ali, adviser to the foundation, said, “This is about humanity. When one family suffers, the whole community must stand with them.”
Foundation members Abbas Ali Al-Jalili, Sheikh Jasimuddin, Taj Islam, and local youth Yahya Khan personally helped distribute the aid.Locals praised the gesture, highlighting it as a beacon of brotherhood.
A villager remarked, “What Aftab Ali and the foundation have done shows the real face of our society. We live together and we help each other.”
Strengthening Community Bonds
Community leaders said that the incident has strengthened the bonds between Hindus and Muslims in the area. They expressed hope that such acts of solidarity would continue to foster peace and mutual respect in Tripura.
For the affected families, the immediate challenge remains rebuilding their homes, but the support from their Muslim neighbours has provided hope amid the devastation.
One of the affected family members reflected, “We lost everything in the fire, but we did not lose humanity.”
