New Delhi

As thousands of Muslims from all over the world converged at Poinan village in the Hooghly district of West Bengal for the four-day global Tablighi Conference, scenes of Hindu-Muslim unity on the sidelines turned the occasion into an interfaith event.

The global conference of Tablighi Jamaat (Society for Spreading Faith), a vast, transnational, apolitical Sunni Islamic proselytising and revivalist movement, started on January 2.

The Tablighi Jamaat was founded in 1926 by Islamic scholar Maulana Muhammad Ilyas Kandhlawi in the Mewat region of British India, with the goal of spiritual reformation and encouraging Muslims to follow their faith. 

During the conference, scenes of a large number of Hindus serving tea and biscuits were observed, while others distributed water bottles to the guests.

Hindus who were seen serving the participants of the Tabnlighi Jamaat conference participants

Many local Hindu residents picked a handful of soil for preservation at their place since they regarded the soil as sacred, since it was from a religious meeting that had been held there.

Interestingly, the venue, which was spread over a 15-kilometre area, mostly belonged to Hindu farmers. They willingly provided their land for the gathering.

According to the administration, the farmers were paid the full price of their crops and the fields were levelled and prepared for the gathering. Residents said that a spiritual gathering of any religion is a source of joy and pride for them.

A resident, Subroto, said that three and a half bighas of my land was used for the gathering place. We are happy that our land has been used for a good cause.

However, let me tell you that most of the land given for the gathering is owned by Hindus, while the land of Muslims is less. 

Local Hindu residents expressed happiness over the Tablighi Ijtima and said that they support every religious gathering regardless of religion, and such programs bring them joy.

They said that spiritual and religious activities promote peace and brotherhood in society. Another important feature of this gathering was that local farmers willingly provided their land for the Tablighi Ijtima. Moreover, to compensate the farmers for any possible damage to their crops, the Tablighi Jamaat paid them the full price of their crops. 

On the last day of the gathering, Maulana Saad led a special prayer for peace, tranquillity, and brotherhood for the entire world.

People belonging to different religions were also seen participating in his prayer, standing shoulder to shoulder. This emerged as the strongest message of the gathering.

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This global Tablighi gathering held in Hooghly left a positive message not only for West Bengal but for the entire country that love is the greatest power, peace is the most precious wealth, and brotherhood is the greatest service.