433. Places of worship of other faiths. 

This verse (22:40) of the Quran gives important advice regarding communal harmony. 

All religions of this world have their own places of worship, held in high regard by its people, while members of other religions do not pay much attention to it, this is a normal tendency. 

At times of communal tension, it is usually the places of worship that are attacked first. This is the result when people are carried over by emotions and stop thinking rationally. 

Since people from each religion consider their place of worship dearer to them than their own property, they indulge in counter violence. 

Hence an attack on the place of worship of others turns out to be an attack on our own place of worship.

From the phrase ‘Had the Almighty not prevented some of you through some others all places of worship including the masjids would have been in tatters, is the sensible advice offered to people through these verses. This verse explains, though other places of worship may not be considered as one by Muslims, they do not have the right to attack the same.