Library Torched in a Riot in Bihar Sharif, India

Burning Books & Manuscripts is a way to crush other beliefs.

There is a long history of burning libraries and books of culture or religions that are viewed as in opposition to other culture or religions.¹

Madrassa Azizia and Library Destroyed in Bihar Sharif, India

The 113-year-old Library of the Madrassa Azizia in Bihar Sharif, India has been destroyed.²

Ash, soot-stained walls, burnt furniture and charred pages: that's all that remains of a 113-year-old madrassa library in India that once housed more than 4,500 books, including ancient manuscripts and sacred Islamic texts written in beautiful calligraphy.

Mohan Bahadur, the school’s security guard, told Al Jazeera the mob was shouting “Jai Shri Ram” (Hail Lord Ram), a religious slogan that has become a rallying cry for Hindu right-wing groups against its minorities, mainly Muslims and Christians.³

"The damage caused to the building and furniture can be fixed. But the loss of knowledge and cultural heritage is permanent," says Syed Saifuddin Firdausi, an Islamic scholar who is president of the Soghara Trust which manages the madrassa.⁴

1. Thanks to PL for the link.

2. Faisal Mohammed Ali. “Bihar Sharif: The 113-year-old India library torched in a riot.” BBC News, India. April 23, 2023.  

3. Meer Faisal. (Aoril 10, 2023). India town mourns burning of historic library at Muslim school. Al Jazeera.

4. Faisal Mohammed Ali “Bihar Sharif: The 113-year-old India library torched in a riot.” BBC News, India. April 23, 2023.