Suleman Shaikh/Pune
“Even today, in rural areas, Hindus observe Roza while many Muslims observe the Ekadashi fast,” said Anwar Rajan, Secretary of the Maharashtra Gandhi Smarak Nidhi.
He was speaking to the media at the inter-community Roza Iftar held at Gandhi Bhawan.
“City dwellers are not very familiar with this. On the other hand, actions born out of ignorance and misconceptions about the Muslim community are dangerous for the country's integration.”
He said that for this reason, it was important to “bring the hearts of these communities together. We are particularly satisfied that Muslim women participated significantly in this program."
Inter-faith Iftar in Pune
Organisations like the Maharashtra Gandhi Smarak Trust, Yuvak Kranti Dal, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Pune, Haji Makkeshah Masjid, Zakiullah Jama Masjid, and the Muslim Samaj Sudharana Chalval participated in the event.
Explaining the purpose of organising the Iftar, Anwar Rajan said, "We have incomplete information about others’ religions.”
To spread awareness and information about different religions, his organisation has been hosting Diwali Milan or Roza Iftar for eight years. He says the intention behind these is learning about each other and sharing a meal.
He said renowned author Dr. Laxmikant Deshmukh once said, "India is a multilingual, multireligious, and multicultural country. Therefore, everyone must come together, celebrate all festivals with joy, and understand each other. All the saints have advocated Hindu-Muslim unity by adopting tolerance."
Giving examples of religious harmony, he says, "Gandhiji's mother Putlibai was a follower of the Pranami sect established by Swami Parmanand during Akbar's time. This sect emphasised Hindu-Muslim unity, and the Gita and the Quran were printed together in one of their books. This sect gave importance to worship. All this impacted Gandhi. Organising such programs becomes important to carry forward Mahatma Gandhi's thoughts of Hindu-Muslim unity and tolerance."
Inter-faith Iftar in Pune
Pune Municipal Corporation Corporator Prashant Jagtap, Mukund Kakade of Sambhaji Brigade, Paigambar Shaikh of Muslim Samaj Sudharana Chalval, Ibrahim Shaikh, Shaikh Karimuddin, and other dignitaries expressed their thoughts and gave their best wishes.
Participants appreciated the organisers for working towards communal harmony at a time when the differences between communities are growing.
Many people said when people of different religions and communities sit together and communicate, mutual misunderstandings are dispelled, peace and harmony are created, and the values specified in the Constitution remain intact.
During the program, religious leaders explained the religious and social significance of the month of Ramadan in Islam. In this month, Muslim brethren fast throughout the day and break their fast by having Iftar after sunset.
Inter-faith Iftar in Pune
On this occasion, the religious leaders said, "The purpose of fasting is not just religious, but it also carries the message of patience, self-purification, and creating sympathy for the needy people in society."
The participants were served dates, fruits, sherbet, and various traditional snacks. After Iftar, the Muslims offered Namaz.
Youth of all faiths played a key role in organising the program as volunteers. They enthusiastically participated in welcoming the guests, arranging the food, and performing other organising tasks.
ALSO READ: Women cops and social workers join hands to host Iftar for women
The chief guests for the program included Pune Municipal Corporation Corporator Prashant Jagtap, Maharashtra Gandhi Smarak Nidhi Trustee Abhay Chhajed, Shaikh Karimuddin, and Jasmin Sayyad.
