Patna, Dec 14 (IANS) In a rare example of communal harmony, Muslims are constructing a Hindu temple in a Bihar village. Three decades ago, Hindus constructed the tomb of a Muslim saint in the same village.

Mohammad Fakhrul Islam, a resident of Kadarabad village in Begusarai district, about 125 km from here, donated about 2,700 sq ft land for construction of a Hindu temple.

Two Muslim villagers, Mohammad Hashrat and Mohammad Wasi, along with other Muslims, began constructing the temple at Kadarabad ghat.

"Muslims have laid the foundation of the new temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva in the village," Hashrat told IANS.

"We will construct the temple to send a strong message of harmony," Wasi said.

A police officer said some Muslims of the village are constructing the temple despite protests from within the community.

"A few people from within the community opposed them but they went ahead with the construction of the temple," the officer said.

Islam said nearly 30 years ago, some Hindu villagers constructed the tomb of a Muslim saint in the same village.