Friday, May 13, 2016

Mosques opened for Hindu pilgrims during Ujjain Kumbh: Communal Harmony project-27

When storm, rains lashed Ujjain once again and pilgrims had no place to stay, local Muslim community opened the doors of their houses.

Apart from houses, mosques were also opened for Hindu pilgrims including women and children.

Tens of thousands of pilgrims, mostly from rural areas, had come to Ujjain, for participating in the Simhsatha Kumbha.

But repeated rain and thunderstorm made it tough for them. When the storm first hit the city, tents fell down and seven pilgrims died. Then also, local Muslims were engaged in relief works all over the City.

When the storm again hit, mosques opened their doors to pilgrims.

People in other cities who had no contact with their kin who were in Ujjain, later wrote on Facebook about the experiences of their family members.

They mentioned how Muslims in the city hosted, took care and provided food and all other arrangements to them.

Hindi newspapers also praised the gesture. On front page of the papers, the stories and photographs were carried. 

Unfortunately, national media--TV channels and Delhi based papers didn't cover the aspect at all.

On 'ghats' too, Muslim youths voluntarily served and saved pilgrims from drowning. There were health facilities and water kiosks by Muslims too for pilgrims.

In Patrika newspaper, which is one of the largest selling Hindi papers in MP, Lalit Saxena, wrote about 'Mahakal ke bhakton ko mili Rahim ki chhat'.

In Nai Dunia, Abhishek Chendke, wrote the story, 'Rafeeq ke ghar ruke Ram' [Ram stayed at Rafiq's residence].

It is sad that Delhi-based newspapers and media didn't report it, though such positive stories should be highlighted.

READReport in NewsBits.in about the example of communal harmony

[Harmony exists all around us but is often ignored. Instead, stories of hate, discord and communalism get spread easily. There are a million examples in our daily lives across India but they don't get promoted, hence, news of hate and discord gets heard more. Let's change it, now.

Unfortunately, on social media, stories that divide the society, get shared more. It is worrying, we ensure that false propaganda must not spoil the reality and people should know about the syncretic culture and harmony that exists on the ground. This is a small attempt to change it through Communal Harmony Project]

For reading similar reports on this blog, Click HERE

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