Guest guest Posted October 6, 2003 Report Share Posted October 6, 2003 It makes me smile to see positive news on the religious tolerance front, even when it's half a world away from me. ------------------------- Muslims dance with Hindus in Ahmedabad's Navaratri http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_401019,0008.htm AHMEDABAD, INDIA, October 3, 2003: The Navaratri festival transcended religious barriers in Ahmedabad as Muslims matched footsteps with Hindus doing the "Garba" dance. "This is not a Hindu-Muslim issue. This is a matter of faith," Moyunnuddin Khan Pathan, a senior citizen of the neighborhood, told IANS. "We have been worshiping Maa Ambe, the Goddess of Power, for generations. She is our Goddess as well." Ahmedabad, Gujarat's principal city, suffered the worst of the sectarian violence last year. The violence claimed nearly 1,000 lives and left Hindus and Muslims sharply divided. But Pathan did not want to remember the violence. "We (Hindus and Muslims) have always been together," he said. Iqbal Mansoori said: "What is the use digging up the past? We are businessmen. Violence destroys everything. To us, the loss of property is more than the loss of life. "We can't afford to suffer anymore. So why not live in harmony with our Hindu brothers?" During last year's violence, Behrampura was one of the worst affected neighborhoods, but this year it stands out as an epitome of communal harmony with youngsters from both communities joining hands in Navaratri celebrations. "Our Muslim neighbors have stopped cooking nonvegetarian food, respecting our religious feelings during Navaratri," says Kalyan Shah, the owner of a grocery shop. Fearing trouble on September 26, the first night of Navaratri, police had beefed up security arrangements in Behrampura. Just an hour after the revelry had begun, a Muslim funeral procession passed through the area. Police stood alert to tackle any trouble, but there was pin drop silence as all the revellers stopped their celebrations out of respect. The New with improved product search Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 6, 2003 Report Share Posted October 6, 2003 Namaste, This is beautiful news! Tell me please:- "Pathan, a senior citizen of the neighborhood, told IANS. "We have been worshiping Maa Ambe, the Goddess of Power, for generations. She is our Goddess as well." - what does this mean ... is this a Muslim speaking - what does it mean, please: I know that forms of Devi have been worshipped in West Bengal (is this also Bamgladesh?)? Please enlighten me. I have so loved Navratri... Jai jai! m6 , Seadna <seadna@e...> wrote: > It makes me smile to see positive news on the religious > tolerance front, even when it's half a world away from me. > > ------------------------- > > Muslims dance with Hindus in Ahmedabad's Navaratri > http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_401019,0008.htm > > AHMEDABAD, INDIA, October 3, 2003: The Navaratri festival > transcended religious barriers in Ahmedabad as Muslims matched > footsteps with Hindus doing the "Garba" dance. "This is not a > Hindu-Muslim issue. This is a matter of faith," Moyunnuddin Khan > Pathan, a senior citizen of the neighborhood, told IANS. "We > have been worshiping Maa Ambe, the Goddess of Power, for > generations. She is our Goddess as well." Ahmedabad, Gujarat's > principal city, suffered the worst of the sectarian violence > last year. The violence claimed nearly 1,000 lives and left > Hindus and Muslims sharply divided. But Pathan did not want to > remember the violence. "We (Hindus and Muslims) have always been > together," he said. Iqbal Mansoori said: "What is the use > digging up the past? We are businessmen. Violence destroys > everything. To us, the loss of property is more than the loss of > life. "We can't afford to suffer anymore. So why not live in > harmony with our Hindu brothers?" During last year's violence, > Behrampura was one of the worst affected neighborhoods, but this > year it stands out as an epitome of communal harmony with > youngsters from both communities joining hands in Navaratri > celebrations. "Our Muslim neighbors have stopped cooking > nonvegetarian food, respecting our religious feelings during > Navaratri," says Kalyan Shah, the owner of a grocery shop. > Fearing trouble on September 26, the first night of Navaratri, > police had beefed up security arrangements in Behrampura. Just > an hour after the revelry had begun, a Muslim funeral procession > passed through the area. Police stood alert to tackle any > trouble, but there was pin drop silence as all the revellers > stopped their celebrations out of respect. > > > > > The New with improved product search > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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