The Dhaka Times Desk There has been a conflict over religion in the world for a long time. But there are some people who prove again and again that bigotry can never bring liberation, rather helping people irrespective of caste and creed is the main teaching of religion. One such person is Benhabrit of Si Kaddou.
Bengabrit was born in Algeria in 1868 to a noble family. He studied at the Madrasa of Algiers and the University of Al-Qaraoun. His professional career began in Algiers. He later worked as an administrative officer in North Africa and as a mediator within the French Foreign Ministry.
He later became associated with the Society of Habous and the Holy Places of Islam. It was mainly through his efforts and with the help of the organization that an initiative was taken to establish a mosque in Paris in the early 1920s. This mosque was built as a symbol of good relations between France and Islam.
The construction of the Paris Mosque was completed in 1926. The mosque gradually became a very reliable institution for Muslims living in France. As a result, Benhabrit also became popular in France.
Benhabrit's role during World War II
Benghabrit's name will be written in bright letters in history mainly for his role during World War II. When France fell to the Axis powers during the war, all classes of people living in France were in dire straits. Benhabrit came to their aid during that crisis. But he not only helped the Muslims, but also helped the Jews living in France.
To save the lives of the Jews, they were given shelter in that mosque in Paris. Many Jewish family members were also kept in the tunnel below the mosque to protect them from enemies. They were then sent across the Mediterranean to the Maghreb with forged documents.
Apart from this process, there was no other special way to protect the Jews of France at that time. And Benhabrit supervised the whole process of this rescue. His sincerity and efforts led to the recovery of hundreds of Jews. Benhabrit is believed to have saved the lives of about 1,600 Jews.
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