Mohammad Akram/Hyderabad

During the month of Ramazan when Muslims all over the world fast from dawn to dusk, Dayanand Bhai of the Guddimalkapur area of Hyderabad, his wife, and two sons would visit the local mosque and deliver basketfuls of food for distribution among the travelers and other people who have to break their fast in the mosque.

He did this for 20 years without a fail and till his last breath, literally. Dayanand Bhai passed away two years ago and the family tradition could have also ended with him not being around. However, Dayanand Bhai, a Hindu knew how important his gesture is for promoting amity and brotherhood, he bequeathed upon his heir to continue feeding people during the holy month.

His wife Kasturi Devi and sons Sonkari Deepak and Shiva Kumar have been organizing Iftar in the same mosque. They did so during two years of the lockdown following all the Covid protocols.

Recently, when the family reached Masjid-e-Mohamadi, as sat for eating with those who were breaking the fast at Iftaar, they were in for a surprise. The mosque committee had organized a small and yet heart-touching felicitation ceremony.

A Child felicitating Kasturi Devi inside the mosque in Hyderabad

Mosque committee President Osman bin Mohammed Al Hajri, Maulana Shafiq Alam Khan Jamai, Urban President, Jamiat-e-Ahle Hadith, and others were present on the occasion. More significantly;y, local children were present and they were involved in felicitating the family.

As children presented shawls to Kasturi Devi and her two daughter in-laws and the menfolk presented them to her sons, Osman bin Mohammed Al Hajri, said “Dayanand Bhai’s gesture was in tune with the ganga-jamuni tehzeeb (Inclusive culture) of India in which people of all religions celebrated festivals together.” 

He said it was important for the children to know about such traditions and the people who .

Talking to Awaz-the voice, Dayanand Ji's son Sankori Shiva Kumar said that this tradition has been going on since the time of his grandfather Shankar Krishna. “ He used to arrange Iftari every year in mosques, worked for social upliftment among all sections of the society without any discrimination.”

Dayanand's sons being felicitated at the local mosque

His father carried on the noble work, now it is his and his brother’s turn to carry on the family tradition. “No matter how the situation is, it is our responsibility that we continue to fulfill till our end,” he said.

Shiva Kumar asked how the Hindus and Muslims can be separated in India. “We participate in each other's happiness and sorrow. Whatever people say, but brotherhood cannot be destroyed.”

Shiva says if efforts are made to impart good values to the coming generations, they too will value the brotherhood and unity of the people of India.

Maulana Usman bin Mohammed Al Hajri, the urban president of Jamiat-e-Ahle Hadith, said that syncretism is the core of India that has been practiced for centuries. 

Dayanand's s wife Kasturi Devi thanking the mosque committee chief  Osman bin Mohammed Al Hajri for the honour

“There is no dearth of such people in our society who are working for social harmony and others who are keen to join them.” He asked Muslims to join such efforts.” There is a dire need for such people in the situation prevailing in the country.” 

The best part of the Dayanand family’s tradition is that though they have been making arrangements for Iftar for many years, they don’t speak about it. 

Also Read: Royal kitchen serves food during Ramazan as per 181-year tradition

Abdul Qadir says that at the time of Iftar in the old city, there are many Hindus who secretly send goods to the mosque for Iftar. They want to remain anonymous and promote brotherhood.