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Hindu Temple Hosts `Eid Prayer
10-07-2015
MUMBAI – In a rare show of religious coexistence among Indian faiths, Mumbai Hindus offered Muslims a place to perform `Eid prayers at Ganpati pandal, a temporary structure for Hindu religious/social ceremonies, due to the shortage of prayer spaces in the city.
"During Ramzan [Ramadan] four years ago, which coincided with the Ganesh festival, we had allowed `Eid prayers inside the pandal,” Sangh member Santosh Nayak told DNA on Saturday, September 26.
“It may be that some people find this surprising, but it is entirely normal for us. Hindus and Muslims have always lived in unity here.
“There is no discrimination. Hindus too participate in Muslim festivities.”
Nayak was talking about harmony between Muslims and Hindus in Mumbai, where religious festivals are shared by the followers of the two faiths.
On Friday, September 25, the Seva Sangh Ganeshotsav Mandal in Colaba hosted `Eid prayer at the Ganpati pandal.
The Hindu leaders claimed that about 1,300 Muslims prayed in the Pandal hall due to shortage of prayer space.
Photos of hundreds of Muslims praying inside the Ganpati Pandal were circulated on social media.
The goodwill gestures of offering place and taking part in `Eid celebrations were welcomed by fellow Muslims.
Similar unity efforts have been also adopted by Mumbai Muslims who take part in organizing Hundu festivals.
"Since August, I have been working to collect funds for the Ganesh festival,” Mehfooz Khan, who is the treasurer of the committee organizing Ganesh festival each year, said.
“Most people here are very cooperative, only a few attempt to spread hatred."
The 25-year-old Muslim is one of the committee 70 members who are responsible for organizing Genesh festivals.
`Eid Al-Adha, or "Feast of Sacrifice,” is one of the two most important Islamic celebrations, together with `Eid Al-Fitr.
After special prayers to mark the day, Muslims offer Udhiya, a ritual that reminds of them of the great act of sacrifice Prophet Ibrahim and his son Isma`eel [may Allah's peace and blessings be upon them] were willing to make for the sake of God.
Festivities and merriment then start with visits to the homes of family and friends.
Traditionally, everyone wears new clothes for `Eid, and the children look forward to gifts and the traditional `ediya [cash].
`Eid Al-Adha marks the end of Islam's annual hajj.
There are some 140 million Muslims in Hindu-majority India, the world's third-largest Muslim population after those of Indonesia and Pakistan.
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