Akhtiar bhai,Akhtiar Wahid wrote:Let me clear this:-
Celebrating kite festival is no where related to hinduism, it is not practiced as a religious festival, it is a cultural thing, i have seen a lot of muslims who take part in this festival.
Everything is not about religion, sometimes to live in harmony with other religious group you have to be part of their culture to show sympathy and care for other fellow citizens.
Hand folding in front of their stone deities is absolutely wrong and a big kufr.
But to spread the message of tauheed and islam you have to first make place in their hearts and minds so that they can basically listen to you. If Allah (SWT) gives them taufeeq they might consider converting to Islam.
So guys do not make a big fuss about it.
i agree that Hand folding in front of stone deities is unIslamic, but i would not rush to deem it as wrong and a sin. let me explain why.
hand folding is a mark of respect, not for a deity or God other than Allah, but a mark of respect for the religious view of another.
during Ganpati, i am invited to the homes of many of my boys, and i bow down in front of Ganesha not in submission to the idol but in respect for the beliefs of my people. if they can show respect to my religous upbringing and make arrangements to eat elsewhere in Ramzan, im sure i can return the favour.
i can see that you are saying more or less, the same thing that i am, but i merely voiced my opinion to what you said as "Hand folding in front of their stone deities is absolutely wrong and a big kufr".
I am however, pleasantly surprised to see you hold such a modern outlook, quite refreshing from the "W" stand you often take