Gujarat Model Of Harmony: Water Thicker Than Blood.

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ghulam muhammed
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Gujarat Model Of Harmony: Water Thicker Than Blood.

#1

Unread post by ghulam muhammed » Wed Aug 27, 2014 5:55 pm

Gujarat model of harmony: Water thicker than blood

The water in the cistern at Futi Masjid in Dariapur has not tasted sweeter in over 500 years of its existence. Had it not been for AMC's decision to cut off water supply to Central and North Zones for two days -- due to ongoing work to merge water supply lines in the area — such exemplary display of communal harmony may not have been witnessed by the city on Friday.

At one end of the cistern, Muslim men performed the vazu (washing hands and feet before offering the namaz), and at the other, Hindu women queued up to fill buckets, visibly overwhelmed by the largeheartedness of people they had never known before.

The 14th century masjid is surrounded by Hindu localities namely Lodhwad, Rupapara, Ambedkar vaas, Vankar vaas and Mena vaas. Not a single Muslim family lives in these localities. The Muslims who visit the masjid to offer namaz come from Naginapole, Limbdi, Dabhgarwad, Mastan mohalla and other places.

Since the Hindu residents learnt about AMC's decision to cut water supply only on Friday morning through the newspapers, they could not stock up on water the previous day. The masjid trustees, who realised how difficult it would be for the residents to go without water for two days, offered to provide them water from the masjid's vazukhana between 2 and 5 pm. They also put up a board outside the masjid in the morning, annoucing the same.

This came as a huge respite to the Hindus in the area who were worried how they would go about with their daily chores without water. Carrying buckets in hand, the sari-clad women entered the masjid's compound for the first time with prayers of gratitude on their lips. By the time the namaz began at 5.30 pm, more than 2,000 women had carried home several thousand gallons of water in their buckets.

Aziz Gandhi, the masjid's caretaker, says there is no worship higher than serving people."When God does not differentiate between people when giving them sunlight and rain, who are we to make any distinction?" said Gandhi. "Ideally, women are not allowed in the masjid, but we decided to allow them till the vazukhana so that they could fill water in the buckets. At a time, 32 women could fill up the buckets," he added.

Rafik Nagri, one of the trustees of the masjid, said, "We filled the tank with water from the borewell so that it was sufficient for both Hindus and Muslims. It feels great to be of help to people. We are all human beings first." Hansa Mena, a local resident, said had it not been for the kindness of masjid trustees, she would have found it extremely difficult to feed her family of four. "I really do not have words to thank them. I believe that such acts of kindness are more powerful than prayers we offer to God," she said.

Gauri Ravat, another resident, said that she was surprised to learn about the masjid's initiative. "We live in times where even brothers think twice before helping each other. So, I didn't believe it initially ," she said. Kapila Ravat, a resident of Lodhwad, said, "It was divine intervention. How else do we explain getting water from God's house when we needed it so badly? I would like to return the favour to my Muslim brothers some day."
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http://www.bangaloremirror.com/news/ind ... 811766.cms

ghulam muhammed
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Re: Gujarat Model Of Harmony: Water Thicker Than Blood.

#2

Unread post by ghulam muhammed » Fri Aug 29, 2014 3:07 pm

Ahmedabad: Take a look, Why 'Hindu Women' got entry in 'Mosque'? - Tv9 Gujarati

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxo10JW ... ie-L5k-HrP

Dr Fatema
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Re: Gujarat Model Of Harmony: Water Thicker Than Blood.

#3

Unread post by Dr Fatema » Sun Aug 31, 2014 5:53 am

That's why this saying is " East ho ya West- India is the best."

ghulam muhammed
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Re: Gujarat Model Of Harmony: Water Thicker Than Blood.

#4

Unread post by ghulam muhammed » Thu Sep 25, 2014 6:46 pm

Two Muslim boys died saving a Hindu girl from drowning

MORADABAD : Grief united people of different religion in UP’s most communally sensitive town Moradabad came together for the funeral of two Muslim youths who died trying to rescue a Hindu girl, Suman from drowning, although they could not save her.

The three bodies were recovered by the Army after a 36-hour operation on Sunday ¬ Danish and Noman have become martyrs in the eyes of Hindus and Muslims alike.

While Hindu women showered petals from rooftops as the funeral procession of the two young men passed through the city’s streets, men from the community lent a shoulder to their `janaza.’ “For me, the two are real-life heroes, “said Sakshi Mehrotra, a resident.

“Even if someone is dying on the road, people of this city remain mute spectators. But the boys proved life is more important than petty religious differences. “

There was heavy police deployment for the procession that began soon after special prayers for the boys. Clerics also read out prayers for the family of Suman and the jawans of the Army who had been involved in the operations.

“We hope that the communal amity which this event has triggered remains in our city, “said Ikram Qureshi, a local leader. Officials told the media that Rs 5lakh would be provided to the families of each of the deceased, besides a government job for one family member each.

http://muslimmirror.com/eng/two-muslim- ... -drowning/

ghulam muhammed
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Re: Gujarat Model Of Harmony: Water Thicker Than Blood.

#5

Unread post by ghulam muhammed » Sun Sep 28, 2014 6:44 pm

UP boy gets riot-wary kids back to school, gets UN award

Fearful parents across most parts of riotscarred West UP in the days following the Muzaffarnagar violence of last year had stopped their children from attending school. Many of the kids were Muslims, but some were Hindus, too. It went on for months. The children would just not be there in their classrooms. That’s when Abhishek, 14, made it his mission to bring the kids back to school.

The UP government has conferred upon him the Meena Ratan Award, given jointly by Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan and UNICEF to children who do outstanding work in the field of education and social service. Abdul Samad, principal of Upper Primary School in Kamalpur village where Abhishek studies, said what the boy did — convincing parents who had stopped sending their children to the village school 10 km from Meerut as communal tempers ran high in the aftermath of the Muzaffarnagar riots — was heroic.

“Those days were quite scary,” Samad said. “The atmosphere was strife with rumours and parents were apprehensive. Attendance had dropped to 40%. It was then that this boy came up with a novel idea.” Abhishek formed a group of six students, three Muslims and three Hindus, and knocked on every door behind which hid an absentee kid. The drive slowly bore fruit and parents, emboldened by the boys' confidence started re-packing school bags and tiffins for their kids. “My parents are illiterate, but I have been fortunate to get the opportunity of receiving an education,“ Abhishek said. “In no way could I forego that opportunity and I felt the same for my fellow students. My school had reached the stage where it was ready to close down. I thought that would be so sad.” Though a few students still chose to stay away, the numbers began to swell in the school with 225 students, 117 of them Muslims attending the school. Soon, Abhishek says, all will be back.

As he returned with the award, beaming, he said he couldn’t have done it without the help of his teacher Ruchi Shrotriya, who motivated him and asked him to do something that would change the lives of others around him. It’s a lesson, he says, he will never forget.

http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Arti ... 2014014057

ghulam muhammed
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Re: Gujarat Model Of Harmony: Water Thicker Than Blood.

#6

Unread post by ghulam muhammed » Fri Dec 26, 2014 7:25 pm

Quran recited in a Shiv temple?

LUDHIANA: A Shiv temple at Bhadaur town in Barnala district of Punjab has turned a deaf ear to the shouting matches that politicians have indulged in over Ghar Wapsi and religious conversions in the past few days.

On Wednesday, a maulvi quietly recited the Fateha or special Muslim prayers inside a Shiv temple even as sadhus and Sikh granthis listened in reverence. The fact that hymns of the Quran were being recited in the backdrop of a picture of Lord Shiva did not seem incongruent to them. The temple management also arranged for utensils and other articles for the event.

The rituals were being performed as part of the ninth-day prayers for Shoket Ali of Bhadaur, 20, a helper in a house in the area, who had died in a road accident earlier. Ali's father is in jail for the last three years for his involvement in a murder case. His mother Shamshera Khan did not have the means to complete the rituals on her own and approached the Gyara Rudhar Shiv Mandir in the town to arrange for the prayers and they agreed.

Such bonhomie may surprise the outsider, but it is nothing new for the people. The temple's management has been welcoming other faiths into their precincts since the mid-1990s when the management committee was constituted. About three years ago, they opened a big hall for members of all communities to hold religious functions.

Bhadaur has about 250 Muslim families in a population of about 20,000.

Only in December, three Muslim functions have been held at the temple while Sikhs have arranged 10 events. The temple's managers say that by giving space to various communities, they are promoting universal brotherhood and strengthening the bond between them.

"We see it as a sign of communal harmony that exists in our area and we are proud of it," says Krishan Kumar, member of the temple management committee.

Ali Akram, Shoket's uncle said, "This was a small and personal event but it is going to give the right message to those who are trying to divide the people of the country in the name of religion."

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city ... 644988.cms

qutub_mamajiwala
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Re: Gujarat Model Of Harmony: Water Thicker Than Blood.

#7

Unread post by qutub_mamajiwala » Sat Dec 27, 2014 2:19 am

it is gud.
but can it happen vice versa?
think over it

ghulam muhammed
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Re: Gujarat Model Of Harmony: Water Thicker Than Blood.

#8

Unread post by ghulam muhammed » Wed Jan 14, 2015 5:29 pm

Where Upanishads and Hadith are taught together

There is a picture of Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge, displayed prominently on the wall in the Principal’s office. Outside is a blackboard on which is inscribed a quote from the Brihadarnyaka Upanishad (Asato Maa Sadgamaya) and one from the Hadith (Knowledge is the greatest wealth.)

In a classroom, three girls, Ambreen, Simran and Farida, begin reciting Saraswati Vandana. They study in a madrasa, probably unlike any other in the country.

Gyan Sagar is one of the 128 madrasas run by a group of women in and around Madhya Pradesh’s Mandsaur district, which is otherwise famous for its poppy farms and high-grade opium. In 78 of these madarsas, Hindu students outnumber their Muslim friends (over 55 per cent of the students are Hindu), while 630 of the 865 teachers employed by the group are Hindu.

The Hindu religion is taught as a compulsory subject for students from Hindu households, with textbooks comprising detailed explanations of religious rituals and their scientific basis. “Most of the families in this village [Songari] are Muslim. Yet, the madrasa offers both religions as subjects. Students learn about their respective religions and share the teachings with their classmates from the other religion in their free time. The entire experience is very enriching,” says Gagan Bhatnagar, Principal of Madrasa Gyan Sagar.

Five Muslim and two Hindu women form the Nida Mahila Mandal (NMM), which operates these schools, headquartered at Madrasa Firdaus, the main branch just outside the gates of old Mandsaur city. The madrasas — with names such as Madrasa Gurukul Vidyapeeth and Madrasa Jain Vardhaman — have a strength of 5,500 students from across the district.

Set up in 1992 by Shahzad Qureshi, Madrasa Firdaus initially used to impart religious education and offered free tuition to poor students from other schools. In 1998, when the Madhya Pradesh government set up the Madrasa Board, the Nida Mahila Mandal, a registered society, got itself accredited as a study centre to offer higher secondary education.

“We were educating children from poor families. A lot of poor Hindu families wanted to enrol their children in our schools, but were concerned about religious education,” says NMM chairperson Talat Qureshi.

“That is when we thought of reviving India’s older system of madrasas that offered subsidised education, and where such legends as Munshi Premchand, Raja Rammohun Roy, Bharatendu Harishchandra and Pandit Ramchandra Shukla had their education,” says Dr. Qureshi, a dentist by profession.

Modern education is the primary focus of the Madrasa Firdaus group. However, since it is affiliated to the Madrasa Board, it must offer religious education. To get around that condition, the NMM sought help from Hindu friends and prepared a Hindu religious education module and integrated it into the curriculum. As a result, Hindu religion is a compulsory subject for Hindu students studying in these study centres, while Muslim students have to study and pass Deeniyat.

“The Hindu Dharma textbook contains the Gayatri Mantra, Solah Sanskaar and Pranayaam, among other topics, and explains their scientific basis,” says Nemichand Rathore, a freelance journalist who drafted the textbooks.

While English is the preferred medium of instruction, Hindi is a compulsory language, and students can choose either Urdu or Sanskrit.

Ayushi Varshi, 16, has opted for Urdu and flawlessly recites Kalmas and Ghazals. “My parents encourage me to learn Urdu. They say it offers a lot of career opportunities,” she says.

Her siblings Mehek, 12, and Abhi, 9, enrolled in Insha Public School, another branch of Madrasa Firdaus, are also learning the language.

Then, there is Shabnam, a Class VIII student of Madrasa Firdaus, who is fascinated with the Gayatri Mantra. Bolne mei bahut accha lagta hai , she says, after reciting it.

The group of madrasas is affiliated to the State education board till Class VIII, while the secondary and higher secondary levels are affiliated to the National Institute of Open Schooling.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/w ... r#comments

ghulam muhammed
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Re: Gujarat Model Of Harmony: Water Thicker Than Blood.

#9

Unread post by ghulam muhammed » Tue Feb 10, 2015 7:19 pm

Maharashtra village inks communal amity pact

Ratnagiri (Maharashtra) : Religious communities of the picturesque village of Burondi in Ratnagiri district have inked a pact to protect 'communal harmony' for the next 100 years in Maharashtra, representatives said here Monday.

The pact was formally signed last month by leaders of the local Hindu and Muslim community along with witnesses, duly notarized, and copies were provided to all stakeholders, in the presence of a large number of villagers
.

Village head Pradip Rane, 44, said the main objective of the agreement, considered the first of its kind in the country, between the two main communities was to create awareness and importance of communal harmony, especially among the next generation.

"The younger generation of both the communities does not understand the meaning of amity, brotherhood and communal unity which is essential for progress and prosperity of everyone. We have taken the first steps through this agreement," Rane told IANS.

Concurring, Ashraf Mastan, 43, a fisherman and Muslim leader who has signed on behalf of his community, said the villagers have progressed a lot on the communal amity front in the past 25 years.

"There was a time when we had to virtually struggle to get permission for our religious functions ... See the changed scenario when the two communities have agreed to work for each other and jointly progress," Mastan told IANS.

Both the leaders pointed out that the common masses have been living peacefully together since centuries, but certain forces attempt to create a divide among them for their sinister designs.

Burondi has a total population of around 10,000, with nearly 3,500 Muslims spread mainly across three large 'mohallas'.

"When we can buy and eat the fish caught by the Muslim fisherfolk, and they eat the fruits and vegetables the Hindu farmers grow, then why can't we all live together peacefully," Rane asked.

Accordingly, a community coordination committee was formed to hammer out the issues of differences between the two communities and a detailed three-page consensual agreement was reached.

It was duly signed from both the sides by: Pradeep Surve, Sudhir Powar, Sunil Kule, Bawa Kelaskar (Hindus side) and Ashraf Mastan, Maqbool Mastan, Mahmood Shah Divekar, Imtiaz Harsinkar, Ashfaque Chelkar, Abdullah Shirgoankar (Muslims side) and other villagers, and later notarized.

Rane pointed out that the two communities have been living peacefully since 1987, when the small village - around 215 km south of Mumbai - was disturbed by a communal skirmish.

"Now, we have decided to help celebrate each other's festivals and join the celebrations, ensure that revellers from both the communities do not disturb the other during such celebrations, counsel and advice the youngsters on the importance of communal unity and peace," Rane said.

Some of the highlights of the agreement include a code of conduct for Hindu processions will pass and play music only when 'namaaz' is not being offered at the three roadside mosques.

Similarly, the annual Govinda processions during 'Janmashthami' will pass through the Muslim areas and even pay obeisance at mosques, Hindus would help the Muslims during the annual 'urs' (feast) at Karajgaon mausoleum here, Muslims would not object to the festivities which will not disturb their religious practices in any manner.

The members of both communities will wholeheartedly join in organising and celebrating each other's festivals unitedly and create an overall festive atmosphere in the village.

Besides, in major public programmes conduct by the village, members of both communities would be seated on the dais and the audiences, while seniors from both sides would be felicitated and honoured publicly
.


http://twocircles.net/2015feb09/1423488 ... NqRCGccRLN

JavedhJuma
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Re: Gujarat Model Of Harmony: Water Thicker Than Blood.

#10

Unread post by JavedhJuma » Tue Apr 07, 2015 11:35 pm

qutub_mamajiwala wrote:it is gud.
but can it happen vice versa?
think over it
Mamajiwala, I was thinking the same! In all fairness to our Muslim brothers, they were fair in sharing water with the Hindus, unlike the Pakistanis who, a few years ago killed a non-Muslim woman who tried to get water from the tap in one of the Masjids.

Twenty years ago Pakistanis were the best people in the Indian sub-continent and lived peacefully with other communities.

Hope and pray those days will return some day. I keep my fingers crossed.

ghulam muhammed
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Re: Gujarat Model Of Harmony: Water Thicker Than Blood.

#11

Unread post by ghulam muhammed » Tue May 19, 2015 6:22 pm

Bihar's Muslims donate land for world's largest Hindu temple

Patna : Muslims in Bihar, in a stellar demonstration of communal harmony, have donated land to help build the world's largest Hindu temple which will have the capacity to seat a staggering 20,000 people.

"Muslims have not only donated land, they have also provided land at a nominal rate for construction of the world's largest Hindu temple. Without help of Muslims, it would have been difficult realise this dream project," Acharya Kishore Kunal, secretary of the Patna-based cash-rich Mahavir Mandir Trust that is undertaking the ambitious project, told IANS.

The construction of the temple will commence in June at Janki Nagar near Kesaria in East Champaran district, about 150 km from here. It will cost over Rs.500 crore.

Mahavir Mandir Trust has obtained 200 acres of land. "Hindus and Muslims have donated about 50 acres of land and the remaining has been purchased."

Earlier, some Muslims had helped build a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Durga in Gaya district, another temple was dedicated to God Shiva in Begusarai district and in Sitamarhi district.

Mumbai-based Valecha Construction Company will construct the temple, which will be 2,500 feet long, 1,296 feet wide and 379 feet high.

"The temple will be earthquake proof (since it) is near the Nepal border," Kunal said.

He said the Virat Ramayan Mandir will be taller than the world famous 12th century Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia, which is 215 feet high. The complex will comprise 18 temples with high spires and its Shiv temple would have the largest Shivling in the world, another distinction.

http://twocircles.net/2015may19/1432034 ... Vu15Gcw9LM

ghulam muhammed
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Re: Gujarat Model Of Harmony: Water Thicker Than Blood.

#12

Unread post by ghulam muhammed » Fri May 29, 2015 6:45 pm

Juhapura – The Largest Muslim Ghetto in Gujarat raises some hope

While the communal violence of 2002 divided Gujarat society like never before, there are examples galore of what once symbolised religious harmony in the city. Several housing societies in Juhapura were some of these isles of joy and hope until a series of communal disturbances reduced them to a ghetto.

Noor-e-Lakshmi, Gandhi Smruti, Madhur Mangal and Snehkunj, to name a few, are today exclusively Muslim housing compounds. A few years ago, here Hindus and Muslims pursued happiness together.

Noor-e-Lakshmi was the idea of two friends Divyakant Upadhyaya and Mohammad Shaikh. Looking at the need of the people who intended to shift to a new and more open place, they decided to build houses for them on the outskirts south of the city.

The housing societies had the option of changing their registered names to something that sounded Islamic, but the residents preferred not to do so The area was know as “Sarni Kamdar Society nu pelu paru”. The housing society was the last human settlement. Some people also called it “Juhaji nu paru” after the name of the owner of the huge tract of land in the area. In due course the settlement came to be known as Juhapura.

Both Upadhyaya and Shaikh had some experience in realty. While Upadhyaya had built Lakshmikunj, a housing society named after his daughter Lakshmi, Shaikh used to take up construction work on contract.

Since both of them were to collaborate on the project, they named it after their daughters Lakshmi and Noorjahan as Noor-e-Lakshmi. The 44-tenement society was an instant hit with both communities and came to be fully occupied by 1974-75, recalls 70-year-old Husainabibi Mamti who has seen Juhapura settlement taking shape.

Inspired by its success, several projects came up in Juhapura — Dayanand Society, Nutan Gandhi Smruti, Sardar Smruti, Divyakunj, Madhur Mangal, Himmat Jigar, Snehkunj and a few more. These attracted members from across communities.

In due course, as Ahmedabad demography got divided along communal lines, almost all Hindus migrated to adjoining areas like Jivraj Park, Vejalpur, Fatehpura and Vasna, reducing Juhapura to being an exclusive Muslim enclave.

“The housing societies had the option of changing their registered names to something that sounded Islamic, but the residents preferred not to do so,” says Mamti. She is among the first five people who bought a tenement in Noor-e-Lakshmi.

Ilyas Shaikh recounts how people look at them with surprise when he describes or writes his address. “People think the original name must have been Lakshmi Society which was later changed to Noor-e-Lakshmi to make it sound Islamic when it became an entirely Muslim neighbourhood. But the fact it that our society is a fantastic example of communal harmony and collaboration.”

Shaikh feels sad that at ghettoisation as it has robbed the neighbourhood of colours.To a newcomer the “Hindu-sounding” names may appear strange, but to the local residents they are part of their life and they find nothing unusual in them.

The spirit with which hundreds of residents of housing societies in exclusively Muslim neighbourhood of Juhapura have retained the name of their ‘Hindu-sounding’ housing societies is commendable.

Hindus have long left and the existing owners have all the liberty to change the names to make them sound Islamic, but they have not done so to honour their harmonious past.

A rainbow always looks better than an arch painted solid with a single colour — from violet or indigo to orange or red. A series of communal disturbances tore Hindus and Muslims apart and the basic human instinct to look for physical safety made them think it is better to live in ghettos than in a melting pot. It is for us Amdavadis to decide if we want a culturally monotonous city or a livelier one that celebrates diversity
.

http://indianmuslimnews.blogspot.in/201 ... uslim.html

ghulam muhammed
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Re: Gujarat Model Of Harmony: Water Thicker Than Blood.

#13

Unread post by ghulam muhammed » Fri Jul 03, 2015 5:47 pm

Of a Hindu, a Muslim and a Christian fast

Like all other festivals, the holy month of Ramzan calls for amity and brotherhood of humankind.

Delhi has always been a cosmopolitan city where, despite discord at times, communal harmony was a remarkable feature. With the month of Ramzan having set in one is reminded of the time when Hindus did not eat, smoke or chew paan in the presence of Muslim friends and acquaintances. Incidentally, Jews and Armenians at Akbar’s court, and also some Francisis (French) merchants kept the fast on the first and last day of Ramzan. R.K. Mathur, a Kahishta, used to recall that once when he went to Bara Hindu Rao and tried to make a telephone call from a public booth, the young man manning it asked him why he was not fasting and instead eating a paan. The youngster had mistaken his identity because he was wearing a starched kurta and pyjamas with a cap on his head and had a beard. Rather than hurt his feelings, he diplomatically replied that he had a tummy upset because of which roza was not possible. The boy relented and allowed him to make a call only after Mathur Sahib greeted the call receiver with “Om Namo Shivai”.

The same thing happened when Denny went from Christian Colony in Karol Bagh to Ballimaran to buy biryani at the erstwhile Bismillah Hotel and tasted a mouthful from the packet that had been handed over to him. “Wah Mian aftari ka waqt aya nahin hai aur aap ne biryani chaakh bhi li” (the time to end the fast has still not come and you have already tasted the biryani) Denny replied that it was just a lapse of memory and, in any case, the smell was so appetizing that he couldn’t resist the temptation of sampling some as per his habit. Just then a friend of his, Munne Mian, who was passing by greeted him with “Good evening Denny Sahib, how is your father, the Padri Sahib of Baptist Church?” The shopkeeper’s eyes widened as it dawned on him that he had made a faux pa. Denny accepted his apology with a smile.

It is a well known fact, that in earlier times, both high caste Hindu women and those from the sweeper community, would congregate on the steps of the Jama Masjid so that the namazis coming out after Maqrib (sunset) prayers during Ramzan could bless their children by breathing on them. Some Brahmin and Khatri women went so far as to kiss the old namazis’ hands and place them on the heads of their kids. After that they would visit the shrine of Hare-Bhare Sahib to light diyas.

Raphael, a news agency operator, who lived in Kutcha Mir Ashiq, would stop the office car in front of the Jama Masjid while returning from night duty in Ramzan days and enjoy nahari at Karim Hotel before going home. Once when he sat down to eat just before dawn a waiter told him that he had come late. “There’s still 15 minutes for sehri time to end,” replied Raphael, looking at his watch. The waiter nodded and he finished his breakfast and strolled to a corner shop, where the paanwallah asked him to hurry up as it would soon be time for aazan. Raphael quickly put the proffered paan in his mouth and made his way home. A group of singers returning after rousing the faithful for the last meal before the roza embraced him as one of their own who never missed sehri at Karim’s.

It’s worth noting that in 1901, as per Dr Narayani Gupta, Muslim and Christian shoemakers combined to protest against the Punjabi Muslim leather goods merchants of Ballimaran who, backed by moneylenders, were exploiting them. One of the many instances of inter-communal unity. Would you believe it that some devout Hindu women, used to observe a Ramzan fast from afternoon to sundown? recorded researcher Swapna Liddle. A pious Catholic, Alvina Bua not only kept the 40-day Lent fast but also the Ramzan one. The latter for “sins committed after Easter”.

How many non-Muslims observe the fast now is difficult to tell but many inmates of Tihar Jail join the Muslims incarcerated there in keeping the roza. The Barawafat Mela, the Tar-ka Mela, Phool Walon-ki Sair and Holi and Id Milan were other occasions when communal harmony manifested itself conspicuously. And by the way, Muslim soldiers stationed at Wazirabad Cantonment in British times used to help their Hindu colleagues in staging Ramlila every year. Lakshman, Vibhishan and Ravana’s roles were sometimes played by them. And once, hold your breath, Sita’s part was enacted by a handsome Muslim sepoy. Ramzan is the right occasion to savour such revelations in Haji Mian’s company when the feasting begins after sundown around the illuminated Jama Masjid.

http://www.thehindu.com/features/metrop ... cpage=true

ghulam muhammed
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Re: Gujarat Model Of Harmony: Water Thicker Than Blood.

#14

Unread post by ghulam muhammed » Mon Jul 20, 2015 5:10 pm

Muslims offered Eid prayer in a Mandir compound

Lucknow, 19 July 2015 : In a rarest of the rare event of communal harmony the Hindu neighbors of Eidgaah Aish Bagh locality in Lucknow opened the compound of Shiv Mandir for Eid prayers to their Muslims neighbors.

Amid the sharp grow of communal hatred and hateful campaign like Ghar Wapsi this heart rendering event of communal harmony was witnessed in the city of Nawab yeaterday.

According to a report published in news portal AsiaTimes.co.in ‘when the Muslims of the locality couldn’t find enough space in Eidgaah Aish Bagh to offer Eid prayer the Hindus of the locality offered them the space of a Mandir compound adjacent to Eidgaah.

Sensing the difficulty of Muslims the Hindu brethren who had earlier cleaned the Mandir compound for the same purpose offered the space in the Mandir compound for prayer to their Muslim neighbors.

After the prayer the Muslims embraced the Hindus who were standing outside the Mandir and offered them Eid Greetings.

http://muslimmirror.com/eng/muslims-off ... n-lucknow/

qutub_mamajiwala
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Re: Gujarat Model Of Harmony: Water Thicker Than Blood.

#15

Unread post by qutub_mamajiwala » Tue Jul 21, 2015 3:20 am

can something happen vice versa?
think about it.

ghulam muhammed
Posts: 11653
Joined: Tue Oct 07, 2008 5:34 pm

Re: Gujarat Model Of Harmony: Water Thicker Than Blood.

#16

Unread post by ghulam muhammed » Sun Oct 04, 2015 5:42 pm

These Touching Stories of Hindu-Muslim Love Will Warm Your Heart

It's been a year of unrest in India. Everybody is fighting over the meat ban, vegetarians and non-vegetarians are divided over it, Hindus and Muslims are divided over beef ban and everybody seems to universally hate the Jains and the Patidars. Disturbing as it all is, examples of peace and harmony continue to exist all over the country in small gestures. It is these simple acts, prompted by generosity and large-heartedness which keeps our country from splintering violently. Check out some of these acts in the past, which will simply touch your heart.

He did not want religion to come in between friendship

Razzak Khan Tikari, a resident of Chhattisgarh, rose above religious boundaries and performed Hindu rites for his deceased friend, Santosh Singh. Santosh's wife was not able to arrange money to perform proper rites after his death because of her poor economical condition. Khan came forward and took the responsibility of the entire task. He also performed all the rites as per Hindu tradition and cremated Santosh's body.

Khan told Patrika that Singh and he had been friends for the last eight years and he considered his friend's family as his own. He took the help of an organisation to make sure that everything was done. "Religion should not become a barrier in friendship," he explained.

Namaz and Visarjan on the same road!

This picture from last year shows how this Ganpati procession in Mumbai maintained silence until the Friday afternoon namaz concluded, while the Muslims reading namaz made way for the procession to pass conveniently.

Talk about friendly neighbours!

Muslims in Bihar, in a stellar demonstration of communal harmony, have donated land to help build the world's largest Hindu temple, which will have the capacity to seat a staggering 20,000 people. "Muslims have not only donated land, they have also provided land at a nominal rate for construction of the world's largest Hindu temple. Without help of Muslims, it would have been difficult to realise this dream project," Acharya Kishore Kunal, secretary of the Patna-based cash-rich Mahavir Mandir Trust that is undertaking the ambitious project, told IANS.

Kunal, a former Indian Police Service officer, said that more than three dozen Muslim families have their land in the middle of the proposed location of the temple and some Muslims families own land along the main road that connects to the project site.

"Some Muslims donated lands and others helped and supported us to purchase their land for the temple. If Muslims had not come forward, the temple project was sure to have got delayed..." he added. "Of the 200 acres of land obtained by Mahavir Trust for the temple, Hindus and Muslims have donated 50 acres while the rest was purchased.

You protect mine, I'll protect yours.

After their area was rocked by the blood and hatred of communal riots last year, the Muslims and Hindus of Hadapsar in Pune got together to protect each other's places of worship. The Hindus of the area have taken the responsibility to protect the Muslim mosques and shrines while the Muslims have taken the responsibility of protecting the temples.

Where's the Iftaar tonight?

Last year was initially marked by the ugly scar of a Shiv Sena MP who force fed a Muslim, who was fasting during Ramadan. The saving grace was two days later, when 50 Hindu traders in Delhi hosted an iftaar party for their Muslim friends and comrades. According to them, they have been doing this for years.

Pay homage to Ram and pay homage to Rahim too

Hindus who come to pray at the Hanuman temple in Gaddeajijpur village in Uttar Pradesh, also need to pray at the Jind Peer Baba Mazar, as per local customs. That is the only way their prayers will be answered. This rule has been in place since 1930.

Wanted temple charioteers - religion no bar.

Every year, Muslims join Hindus in Orissa to pull the chariot during the Chariot Festival (Ratha Yatra) in Puri. And this friendship isn't limited to the festival - Hindus celebrated Eid and members of both religions attend each other's weddings.

http://www.idiva.com/news-work-life/sev ... gn=iDivagc

ghulam muhammed
Posts: 11653
Joined: Tue Oct 07, 2008 5:34 pm

Re: Gujarat Model Of Harmony: Water Thicker Than Blood.

#17

Unread post by ghulam muhammed » Tue Oct 27, 2015 7:42 pm

A Hindu Man In Mumbai Offered Muslims His Shop To Be Used As A Mosque For Free

In a country like ours, where religious and communal differences are not handled that well, our country is trying to stay strong and keep the secularism alive. In such times, people like Mr Deepak Kale are making a praiseworthy and commendable contribution.

The Muslim population of Mukund Nagar, Dharavi, Central Mumbai was struggling to find a place to worship as their mosque was under construction. So, Mr. Deepak Kale offered his 2500 square feet property to be used as a mosque.

The property could have easily earned him rent up to Rs 1 lakh.

“Some masjid trustees came to me to ask for my place. I have known these people since my childhood so I gave it them for offering namaaz. Khurshidbhai, who is a masjid trustee, is my childhood friend, I have spent my life with him. I didn’t want to take any rent from them because I bought this commercial space in order to sell it, and I had told them that the day I get a customer I will sell it after giving them two months’ notice,” he said.

He thinks that our country lacks respect for other faiths and beliefs.

He also saved hundreds of Muslim lives by providing them a shelter in 1993 riots.

“I tell people to keep quiet and work for peace all the time. I feel if my lane is not harmed by communalism, then the country will take care of itself. If my lane is facing communal problems, what can I say about my country? So first keep communal peace in your own lane, and the country will follow suit,” he added.

We salute you, Sir!

http://www.storypick.com/hindu-man-offers-shop/

ghulam muhammed
Posts: 11653
Joined: Tue Oct 07, 2008 5:34 pm

Re: Gujarat Model Of Harmony: Water Thicker Than Blood.

#18

Unread post by ghulam muhammed » Tue Dec 15, 2015 7:04 pm

Mosques show the way in relief activities during Chennai flood

Chennai: “While the entire nation is debating on the "non­sense" called "intolerance", there is humanity at its best in Chennai. I can tell this for sure because; I stay in Qatar and my family (wife and 2 kids aged 11 and 7) are in Chennai. With all the floods and problems, I am getting the message from them, "We are safe". In the wake of calamity, Chennai is "One",” reads a Facebook post by Biju Vargheese, an expatriate from Chennai.

“It has only one religion, "Humanity"; it has only one enemy, "Water"; there is only one aim "Help". And they did it in style. When they were offering help, they didn't ask whether you are a "Hindu" or a "Christian" Or a "Muslim". They didn't ask whether you are "Rich" or "Poor". They didn't ask whether you are a "Tamlian", "Malayalee", "Telugu", "Kannadiga" or "North Indian",” the FB post further reads.

These lines, which went viral on social media, sums up thepost- flood relief work being done by the residents of Chennai in unison.

The mosques in Chennai, which are more than 500 in number, as per the figures with the Indian Union Muslim League Tamil Nadu state committee, too have opened their doors and have emerged as critical shelters particularly for poor flood victims, irrespective of their religious beliefs.

“Mosques are not only places to perform prayers. They are cultural centres and some times, as it now happens, shelters for the persons in need,” K M Khader Moideen, former MP and Indian Union Mulsim League (IUML) Tamil Nadu state president told TwoCircles.net.

Mosques like Triplicane Labbai Jamaath Masjid, Dharma Kidangu Mosque, Hafiz Ahmad Khan Mosque, Bahram Jung Mosque, Casa Verona's Mosque, Makkah Masjid, Masjid Mamoor, Masjid­o­Anwari, Thousand Lights Mosque and Triplicane Big Mosque are welcoming the victims by offering them food and shelter; while many of them from neighbouring places come to fetch water as well.

The doors of the mosques have been opened or the flood victims and the verandas of these mosques bear a scene, which is first of its kind in Chennai – and perhaps whole country – where people from various localities, irrespective of their faiths or castes are hurdling together in this time of grief.

“This calamity has definitely brought the communal harmony of Tamil Nadu to light. The flood has united everyone here,” says Faizur Rahman of Chennai based Islamic Forum for the Promotion of Moderate Thought.

In most of these mosques, the imams, clerics and other employees are emulative hosts by giving their rooms to the victims. Mosques have also opened doors for victims to use toilets as well as water tanks otherwise used for performing ablutions before prayers.

IUML, Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), Tamil Muslim Munnetta Kazhakam, Thableed Jama'at and Tamil Nadu Jamma'ate Islami have directed the mosque committees to actively participate in the relief activities and make the mosques maximum available for the victims.

“Our volunteers saved a Hindu family from his residence, which was under water, and took his family members to the hospital. He bowed his hands and told us “forgive me” after thanking our volunteers. We wondered that why should a person apologize us for saving him. The residents in my area were not allowing any Muslim to our locality, now, I regret this,” Jawahirulla told TwoCircles.net, adding, “It’s a privilege for us to serve our non-Muslim brethren in this times of distress.”

“It’s the time to get rid of the compulsions of the caste, religion, colour and creed. We welcome our Muslim and non Muslim brothers to the mosques. They flock to the mosques as they have no place to go,” says IUML Tamil Nadu state committee secretary Aboobacker.

Besides shelter, these mosques are also providing them food, water, mats and clothes. Triplicane Mosque tops the list with providing food for more than 3000 people a day while other mosques do their bit by feeding more than 1000 per day.

Water bottles, biscuit packets, bread and packet foods are distributed in most of the mosques.


“Actually, we don't yet know from where these food items, water bottles and clothes have come; many benevolent people have come forward,” Mohammed Arshad, who has been actively working for the victims for five days, told TCN, adding, “Among the beneficiaries, there are some familiar faces and but many strangers as well. It’s not the time to check their idenditities.”

Muslim organisations have exhorted the committees in other states to extend maximum financial assistance to the relief activities, being carried in Tamil Nadu. A delegation of Hyderabad based Sahayata Trust, supported by US based Indian Muslim Relief and Charities (IMRC) is already on the way with medicines, drinking water, food kits and blankets. Several other organisations from across the country are collecting money for relief or are already on the way.

“We have been getting contributions from abroad and our Muslim brothers in other states,” informs Arshad.

Respective state units from Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh of IUML and SDPI are actively collecting money and transferring them to their sister wings in the state for help.

Jawahirulla adds that talking about money is irrelevant at this point. “The residents are unable to go out and get money from banks. Most of the banks or their ATMs have not been functioning. We are instead focusing on distributing food and medicines,” the Ramanathapuram MLA says.

During Friday prayers volunteers were seen collecting money outside different mosques, not only in the state but in other parts of the country as well.

Led by former MP Abdul Rahman, IUML has fielded more than 500 volunteers from various age groups to strengthen the relief activities in mosques in Chennai while more than 3000 volunteers of Manithaney Makkal Katchi are working in the flood hit areas.

Several other local Muslim organisations are also working in their own respective areas, while individuals gathered to help in whatever ways they could. In fact not just mosques, but even temples, churches and other organisations too came forward to help each other during last week flood. There are also reports of several Muslim families being sheltered in temples.

Meanwhile, for their relief works in hours of tragedy, Muslim organisations have received appreciations from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha as well.

http://twocircles.net/2015dec06/1449398 ... nCZR9LRKko

ghulam muhammed
Posts: 11653
Joined: Tue Oct 07, 2008 5:34 pm

Re: Gujarat Model Of Harmony: Water Thicker Than Blood.

#19

Unread post by ghulam muhammed » Tue Jul 05, 2016 5:56 pm

In strife-torn world, a message of harmony

Kerala Mosque Regularly Feeds The Hungry, Irrespective Of Faith

The masjid provides around 300 tonnes of rice free of cost every month to around 19,000 families across 28 pan chayats, comprising both Muslims and Hindus, and has evolved into a parallel public distribution system far more reliable and efficient than the neighbourhood ration shops.


The centuries old Moonnakkal Masjid at Valanchery in Malappuram district doesn't distinguish between believers and nonbelievers when it comes to feeding the hungry . On alternate Sundays, thousands of Hindus from nearby areas join their Muslim brethren to take home free rice from this mosque -10 to 15 kilograms for each family .

During Ramzan, the amount of free rice and the needy who partake of it goes up exponentially . “On Saturday , we received 715 bags of rice and we distributed over 4,000 bags on Sunday ,“ said Abdul Rahman, a mosque official associated with the rice distribution.

“Thanks to the masjid, we have not purchased rice from ration shops for years. Every alternate Sunday , I line up along with my Muslim brothers to collect free rice which is distributed in equal measure to all of us.

For us the masjid is a lasting symbol of religious harmony and amity,“ said P P Sudheesh, a Hindu carpenter from the area.

The free rice distribution is enabled by the substantial quantity of rice received as offerings at the mosque. The mosque on an average receives around 7,500 kg of rice daily as offerings. Individual offerings range from 5 kg-bags to truck loads. “Mostly offerings are made by people on fulfilment of their prayers, be it for recovery from illness, marriage, birth of children etc or just as charity,“ said Rahman.

Mosque authorities have even issued colour-coded `rice cards -similar to government ration cards -for carrying out the free rice distribution scheme. While around 1,500 families belonging to the mahal have been is sued yellow-colour rice cards, a different set of cards have been issued to 17,500 families from neighbouring areas.Families under Moonnakkal mahal, which is under the control of Kerala State Wakf Board, get 15 kg of rice every alternate Sunday while cardholders from neighbouring areas are provided 10 kg.

http://www.speakingtree.in/article/in-s ... of-harmony

qutub_mamajiwala
Posts: 1051
Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2013 4:17 am

Re: Gujarat Model Of Harmony: Water Thicker Than Blood.

#20

Unread post by qutub_mamajiwala » Wed Jul 27, 2016 5:18 am

ONE OF A KIND

It's difficult to imagine a world without Faridbhai Batatawala. The well-known social worker from Jogeshwari passed away on Monday night.

http://www.mumbaimirror.com/columns/com ... 409521.cms

ghulam muhammed
Posts: 11653
Joined: Tue Oct 07, 2008 5:34 pm

Re: Gujarat Model Of Harmony: Water Thicker Than Blood.

#21

Unread post by ghulam muhammed » Sun Sep 04, 2016 6:01 pm

300-Yr-Old Mosque to be Rebuilt on Temple Land in Ayodhya

Nearly 24 years after Babri Masjid was demolished, resulting in communal strife across India, a 300-year-old dilapidated mosque would be rebuilt on land belonging to Hanumangarhi temple in Ayodhya, according to a Time of India report.
Days after local civic body declared Aalamgiri Masjid 'hazardous' and pasted notice banning entry into building, Hanumangarhi temple trust, which is in possession of the masjid land, not only allowed its reconstruction and agreed to bear cost but also welcomed Muslims to offer namaz in premises, said the report.

In a move that can largely be seen as one to establish religious bonhomie, the temple management not only allowed the local Muslims to get the masjid reconstructed, but also offered to bear the cost. "I asked our Muslim brothers to renovate and reconstruct the masjid on our expense and also issued no-objection certificate for Muslims to offer namaz as this is also a 'Khuda ka ghar'," Mahant Gyan Das told TOI.

"I am also extending support to reno vation of a mausoleum on the premises which is as old as the masjid," added Gyan Das, who has been holding iftar for Ayodhya Muslims during Ramzan.

The report also quotes historian Roshan Taqui saying, "After the battle of Buxar in 1764, Shujauddaulah, the Nawab of Awadh moved his capital from Faizabad to Lucknow. During his reign in Faizabad he had already donated the land in Ayodhya for construction of Hanumangarhi temple. After he shifted to Lucknow, when a delegation of mahants visited him and appealed for more land, the nawab donated four pucca bighas of land that already had on it a masjid built by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb."

http://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/st ... hya/950987

ghulam muhammed
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Joined: Tue Oct 07, 2008 5:34 pm

Re: Gujarat Model Of Harmony: Water Thicker Than Blood.

#22

Unread post by ghulam muhammed » Wed Sep 07, 2016 6:59 pm

Muslim youths carry out last rites of Hindu man

A group of Muslim youths from Mumbra have earned plaudits for carrying out the funeral rites of a Hindu man who passed away in the dead of the night in Kausa area near Thane.

With no one around to take care of the last rites of Waman Kadam (65) except his wife, the eight youths took the initiative of preparing for his funeral.

They purchased necessary ritualistic items like bamboo, rope, earthen pots, incense sticks as well as cloth and a thatched mat.

The youths then carried his body to the crematorium at around 3 AM and performed the last rites.

The gesture did not go unnoticed, with Mumbra-Kalwa MLA Jitendra Awhad

saluting them in a Facebook post. They were also lauded by residents of Muslim dominated Mumbra.

The youths have been identified as Khalil Pawne, Fahad Dabir, Nawaz Dabir, Rahil Dabir, Shaban Khan, Maqsood Khan, Farooque Khan, Mohammad Kasam Shaikh.

http://www.jantakareporter.com/india/ma ... ths/60677/

ghulam muhammed
Posts: 11653
Joined: Tue Oct 07, 2008 5:34 pm

Re: Gujarat Model Of Harmony: Water Thicker Than Blood.

#23

Unread post by ghulam muhammed » Wed Sep 28, 2016 6:49 pm

What Motivated an IIM Graduate to Leave Her Job in the US and Enrol 20,000 Children in UP Schools

Samina Bano, an IIM Bangalore alumna, and RTE crusader, fought several odds in Uttar Pradesh to enable over 20,000 children from underprivileged gain access education in private schools.

Samina Bano, a computer engineer and an MBA from IIM Bangalore started the Bharat Abhyudaya Foundation (BAF) in Lucknow with a dream of bringing parity in the society and fighting discrimination based on socio-economic backgrounds.

“To build a better and equitable society that is not divided on the basis of caste, religion and money, we believe we need to begin with making children’s schools more inclusive. When all children, regardless of their socio-economic differences, are educated together, everyone benefits,” says Samina.

FULL ARTICLE :-

https://in.news.yahoo.com/motivated-iim ... 22869.html