Promoting, project harmony, giving a sense of belonging and representation to all is must: Communal Harmony Project-58

Shams Ur Rehman Alavi

For any nation or society, it's important to have unity, cohesiveness, shared culture and a sense of belonging among people.

There must be harmonious relationship and it is necessary for progress in the society. 

However, if there is an attempt to dismiss multiculturalism and avoid giving representation to different sections of society, it can have a negative effect on the people. 

At least, there was an attempt in those days to tell society that everyone belongs. 

Govt advertisements, stamps, comics, magazine covers, pvt sector ads. Then 1990 onward, it was stopped, went out of fashion, no effort. Kids, new generation didn't grow up on it. The consequences are understandable.

Strong push to the idea of a majoritarian society leads to situation where certain groups, people are 'otherized'. No Ram-Rahim or Rajan-Iqbal, because it is equality, representation. Not cool? Look at children's magazines now, serials or even a 'Chhota Bhim' whose village will not have any Muslim or Christian.

Bollywood, textbooks, theatre, wherever there was representation, it irked them. When you want to instill it in minds, this concept, it damages the fabric, unity. A beautiful garden must have flowers of all kind.  Let a million flowers bloom. 

Government should promote and push for communal harmony, make it appear beautiful, not just present one community. As others get hurt when their culture is ignored, even their presence is taken for granted and they are not considered equals.

The role of government is most important. When officially, it is promoted that harmony is cool and we must give representation, private sector too follows, it is believed and practiced in institutions--colleges, offices, schools. Mass media too presents it in a better way.

But if there are right-wing groups that are close to leaders and establishment that are not happy with multi-culturalism, then it's clear that this idea of multi-culturalism ought not to be promoted. The signal has its affect and people understand, organisations follow suit, societies witness and suffer. Hence, if there is real intent for progress, then governments must take interest in projecting the beauty of a multi-cultural society.

READ: How mass media was used to 'otherize' Muslims in India

Muslim youths save lives of four Hindu men who were trapped under rubble after mishap: Communal Harmony Project-57

 

When the roof of a corridor on the premises of a crematorium fell, Muslim youths rushed and saved the lives of 4 Hindus who were trapped under the debris.

Samir, Shadab and Tanvir rushed to the spot, took initiative, showed exemplary courage and presence of mind. 

They managed to rescue people and saved four lives. Speaking to journalists, they later said that at that point of time, they were only worried about the trapped people and hoping to save them. 

This incident occurred in Ghaziabad district in Uttar Pradesh. Good Samaritans always help others without looking at religion or caste in times of trouble. 

However, there is another aspect, something related that I want to discuss in this post--a phenomenon that's unfortunate & needs attention. 

A person who heads a Hindi news org, I know him for years, who claims to be a proponent of 'Hindu cause', was targeting Muslims on Facebook for a few days, and on this particular day was no exception. 

It was the biggest mishap in days, lives were lost, yet he had no tear or words, not even wrote a line about it. He spent the day in his anti-Muslim propaganda.  He was mocking the arrest of Munawar, a comedian in Indore, though there was no evidence to suggest that he mocked anyone's faith.

However, in his posts, he was suggesting that this action was not harsh enough, drawing parallels with other countries, talking about Pakistan as usual. I mean, the guy who at the drop of hat, asks the other 'aap tab kahaan the, is par kyoon nahi bole, us par kyoon nahi bole' [Where were you when this incident occurred....Why you didn't speak when this happened....]

Unfortunately, a section in our population is now at a stage where religion and identity is strangely more about obsession with the other's religion, always comparing, competing with 'others' and this competition is also in being 'more wicked, more oppressive, more evil', doing more bad, NOT in taking positive steps or spreading harmony.

So the reality is that such hate-peddlers have no concern with 'their own' either. For them, spreading hate gives them some attention on social media, may be thrill for sometime. Otherwise, Good Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians & all others, show it in real life. They act, rush, save lives as in Ghaziabad.

[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. 

This is a small attempt to change it through Communal Harmony Project] For reading similar reports on this blog, Click the link HERE and also find out more about Communal Harmony Project]

#Communalharmony #Communalharmonyproject #India

 

Policeman carries elderly woman pilgrim for 6 km after she faints: Communal Harmony Project-56

 

A policeman has received praise from all corners after he carried a woman on his shoulder for six kilometers.

The policeman, Sheikh Arshad, who hails from Andhra Pradesh, carried the 58-year-old woman, who was on a pilgrimage.

She was going to the temple of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala Hills when due to exhaustion, she fainted.

Sheikh Arshad found her lying her in a semi-conscious state. He says that it was his duty and that when he saw her, he thought of his mother. 

Finally, she was administered medication. “When I saw her in a semi-conscious state, I thought of her as my mother and wanted to help her. There’s nothing great in what I did. It was just my duty, and service to Lord Venkateswara,” Arshad says, as quoted in a newspaper report. LINK.

Nageswaramma was on a pilgrimage and was walking the steep 18 km long pathway, when she had fainted. The temple is located in West Godavari district in Andhra. Shekh Arshad got praise from top cops apart from appreciation on social media.

READ: ‘Was just doing my duty’, says Cop who carried elderly Tirumala pilgrim for 6 km

[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. 

This is a small attempt to change it through Communal Harmony Project] For reading similar reports on this blog, Click the link HERE and also find out more about Communal Harmony Project]

#Communalharmony #Communalharmonyproject #India

Muslim man donates precious land for temple construction: Communal Harmony Project-55

A Muslim man donated precious ancestral land for expansion of a temple in Karnataka.

The temple management needed land because a part was coming under highway project.

When HMG Basha came to know that the temple committee needed land, he decided to gift the land, rather than sell it. 

The has been reported from Hoskote near Bengaluru in Karnataka. Basha says that the communities have been living together for centuries and unity is must for progress. He transferred the land to the trust, free of cost. LINK 

The temple authorities and local residents were so delighted that they put up a hoarding with his photograph along with his wife's photo on the premises, thanking him for the gesture. 

People were surprised and lauded him. Now the temple trust is planning to revamp the temple. Basha said that people were struggling for space to go around the temple and hence he took the decision, reports The News Minute. 

Photo Courtesy--The News Minute.

[Harmony exists all around us but is often ignored. Instead, stories of hate, discord and communalism get spread easily.

There are innumerable examples of harmony in our daily lives across India but they don't get promoted, hence, news of hate and discord gets noticed more. Let's change it, now. 

This is a small attempt to change it through Communal Harmony Project]

For reading similar reports on this blog, Click the link HERE and also find out more about Communal Harmony Project]

#Communalharmony #Communalharmonyproject #India

Muslim woman donates own land for construction of temple in Uttar Pradesh: Communal Harmony Project-43

It is another heart-warming story that tells about how communal harmony exists on the ground and people go extra-mile to help other communities.

The Muslim woman decided to donate own land for construction of temple.

Not just her husband but entire family including the son, supported her decision.

This incident has occurred in Uttar Pradesh--the same state from where we get so much bad news--crime and lynching incidents.

This is all the more important as UP is the same state where the dispute at Ayodhya continues for ages and hundreds have died in communal clashes across the country, over the temple-mosque dispute.

According to reports, Akbari, who lives in Siwalkhas, nearly 20 kms away from Meerut, was approached by local residents who wanted a donation for construction of temple.

Rather than donating a few hundred rupees, she instantly committed that she would give her own land--more than 1,350 sq ft [150 sq yards]. This is indeed exemplary and rare. Her husband was not at home then. When he returned, he supported his wife's stand.

Aas Mohammad is a retired teacher. His wife Akbari says that when the delegation of local Hindus arrived at her house, she felt that she had donated for construction and repair of mosques earlier, so she offered the land to temple.

Siwalkhas is located on Meerut-Baghpat highway. It has nearly 80% Muslim population. People like Master Ram Gopal, Ravinder Sharma and local Hindus who were part of the delegation were overwhelmed.

Now, the agreement has been finalised on paper. It has been a talk of the town and also in neighbouring cities, that how a Muslim woman took the decision in the times when land prices have skyrocketed.

MUSLIM WOMAN GIVES LAND FOR TEMPLE CONSTRUCTION IN MEERUT: LINK

[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.

This is a small attempt to change it through Communal Harmony Project]

For reading similar reports on this blog, Click the link HERE and also find out more about Communal Harmony Project]

#Communalharmony #Communalharmonyproject #India

Remember freedom fighters' sacrifice, their struggle for independence, stop hate and save the nation: Communal Harmony Project-47

Shams Ur Rehman Alavi

Can we look at them from a religious prism?
 
Who can dare do that? These are our heroes, the men who gave away their lives for the cause of India's independence.

Their idealism, their hope, their immense courage resulted in awakening of masses in the country.

They represent our freedom movement, the shared heritage, the combined struggle, they symbolise our unity. Just don't fritter away this great legacy.

We must corner, shame those who spread hate and divide people among religions. Be proud of our common heritage, spread love and brotherhood, harmony, save the country.

Today, as we see hate, communalism and religious divide, people spreading false messages and targeting each other, it is all the more a reason to remember their sacrifices. For the freedom fighters, their identity as an Indian was more important.

They gave their precious lives for the sake of freedom. We need to confront hate, take the hate-mongers head on and fight. We need to live up to the ideals of the freedom fighters whose struggle gave us independence.

Take a pledge, shame those around you who divide people on communal lines. Speak forcefully about unity, defend the 'other', take stand for everybody. This will be the biggest service to the nation and also to those who died just because we could live in freedom.

We need social movement, must shame those who create divide or talk ill of others. It is a fact that hate speech & attacking others on religious lines hurts people, weakens the country. Shun people who do it, make it 'un-cool' again. Stop hate. Save India.

[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.

This is a small attempt to change it through Communal Harmony Project]

For reading similar reports on this blog, Click the link HERE and also find out more about Communal Harmony Project]

#Communalharmony #Communalharmonyproject #India

93-year old Hindu woman lived with Muslim family for 40 years, finally gets reunited with kin: Communal Harmony Project-54

An elderly woman who was found abandoned decades ago, was kept like a family member in a Muslim household.

The woman Panchu Bai, who hailed from another state and couldn't tell much about her kin, became a part of Noor Khan's family in Damoh in Madhya Pradesh.

The woman who hailed from Amravati in Maharashtra, 400 kms away, went missing in 1979. Noor Khan had rescued her from a bee attack in Madhya Pradesh in the year 1980. He gave her medicine and again found her on road side a few days later and then decided to take her home.

As she was unable to tell anything about herself and spoke a different language (Marathi), they couldn't find much about here family and ancestral place. She stayed with Khan's kin and became a part of the family.

Noor Khan had asked his children to take care of  'aunt'. Everyone was attached to her and respected her. Khan died in 2007. Recently, during lockdown period, she uttered a few words like 'Khanjama Nagar', a locality or place that was not found on internet.

Noor's son Israr Khan said that they finally found that Khanjama was a village in Amravati and sent her photos on WhatsApp. The message got circulated and finally she was identified. But when her kin came to meet her in MP, it was an emotional moment.

Not just Khan's family, she was an 'aunt' to everyone in the locality as kids grew watching her and counting her as an elder. Hundreds came out to bid her farewell. Her grandson Prithvi Shingne, who lives in Nagpur, says that he wasn't even born when she went missing. "She was taken to Nagpur for treatment when she went missing. Now we have found her 40 years later".

LINK, LINK, LINK

[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. This is a small attempt to change it through Communal Harmony Project. For reading similar reports on this blog, Click the link HERE and also find out more about Communal Harmony Project]

Hindu wedding held in a century-old mosque, the masjid committee supports bride's family, hosts event: Communal Harmony Project-53

Anju and Bindu tied the knot as priest chanted the mantra and all the rituals were performed. 

The unique thing was that it was a Hindu wedding but was held on the premises of a mosque. 

The Cheravally Muslim Jamath mosque, which is nearly a century old, came to the family's help as the bride's family needed support and financial assistance for the event. 

"After the death of husband Ashokan two years ago, Bindu has been struggling with financial liabilities and was staying at a rented house with her three children. As she was struggling to source money to conduct daughter Anju's wedding, her neighbour, a Jamaath secretary, suggested she approach the Jamaath committee", reports The Week. 

"Bindu did not worry about religious differences when she sought help, and the Jamaath committee was open to assistance. One of the members offered to bear the wedding expenses. Believers, who came for Friday prayers last week, were informed about this and they too lent their support". 

Also, read this report in The Hindu: "The bride had lost her father a couple of years ago. As the family lacked resources to conduct the wedding, Ms. Anju’s mother sought the help of the mosque committee."

“She came to my house seeking help for conducting the marriage. She gave a letter, which I presented to the Jamaath committee. We decided to help the family conduct the marriage,” said Nujumudeen Alummoottil, secretary, Cheravally Muslim Jamaath Committee.

[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. This is a small attempt to change it through Communal Harmony Project]

For reading similar reports on this blog, Click the link HERE and also find out more about Communal Harmony Project]

#Communalharmony #Communalharmonyproject #India

Muslim parents arrange Hindu daughter's marriage in the temple: Communal Harmony Project-52

Rajeshwari and Vishnu got married in a temple in Kasargod in the presence of Rajeshwari's parents--Abdullah and Khadeeja.

Strange it may sound but Rajeshwari lived at the home of Abdullah and Khadeeja after her parents' death. 

They raised her just like her parents and as she became an adult, the marriage was solemnised. 

She was barely 7-8 years ago when she came to this house and now, 15 years later, when she is 22, she was married off. 

To Abdullah's three sons, he was a sister. After they got marriage proposal, the family made proper visit and then accepted it. Vishnu is son of Balachandran and Jayanthi.

Abdullah's elderly mother was also present in the ceremony. Not just the families, their relatives and local residents but local councillor, BJP leader and several other political representatives attended the event. 

There are several such stories of communal harmony that one finds in every city. On this website too, we have posted several such incidents--foster parents raising adopted son or daughter on the kid's religion and later marrying off. 

Photo, news courtesy: Mathrubhumi

[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. This is a small attempt to change it through Communal Harmony Project]

For reading similar reports on this blog, Click the link HERE and also find out more about Communal Harmony Project]

#Communalharmony #Communalharmonyproject #India

Muslims get temple reconstructed after it was razed in road widening: Communal Harmony Project-51

Muslims in a town in West Bengal, raised money to build a temple that had come in way of road widening.

They also purchased the land for relocating the temple and then helped reconstruct the Kali temple for the Hindu community.

This is another of the umpteen beautiful stories about harmony we get to know from the ground, far away from the discord that is visible on social media or the hate on TV channels.

The cleric, Nasiruddin, a Maulvi, was present when the temple was reconstructed. This happened in Basapura in Nanoor, which is 160 kms from Kolkata (Calcutta), mentions Koushik Dutta, in his report in Hindustan Times.

“I have inaugurated mosques and madrasas. But this is the first time I have inaugurated a Hindu temple. It’s a different feeling altogether,” Mandal said, in the report published on October 29, 2019. Out of Rs 10 lakh that was collected, nearly 7 lakh was contributed by Muslims, temple puja committee's Sunil Saha was quoted in the report.

“The temple was demolished for widening a road that was an urgent need of the locals. The temple was about 30 years old and devotees regularly came here,” Nikhil Bhattacharya, a resident said.


“If local Muslims did not help us, organising the puja and rebuilding the temple would not have been possible. So we invited Nasiruddin Mandal to inaugurate the temple on Sunday evening,” said Saha further in the report.

The report also mentions incidents like how Mohammad Faruq, a 58-year-old resident of Dubrajpur area in Birbhum district, donated land for setting up a crematorium for Hindus. The land that he gave had a market value of about Rs 10 lakh.

And also the incident when a Muharram committee of Kharagpur town in West Midnapore district decided not to organise Tajia, and instead, gave the money to a Hindu cancer patient for his treatment in the year 2017.

In the same year, when no drum beater turned up to perform at a Tajia in Muharram in Suvur village of Bhatar area of East Burdwan district, the dhakis at the Durga Puja in the village replaced them.
In another incident in November 2017, a group of Muslims came forward to fund the wedding of a Hindu woman in Khanpur village of Malda district, when her family could not afford it.

Clearly, it's all so common but this doesn't get to headlines and TV channels keep raising the communal temperature, creating an image as if the communities are always fighting or at logger-heads. Photo courtesy [Pexels.com]

[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. This is a small attempt to change it through Communal Harmony Project]

For reading similar reports on this blog, Click the link HERE and also find out more about Communal Harmony Project]

#Communalharmony #Communalharmonyproject #India

How religious processions can bring Hindus and Muslims closer, a tradition from Mandideep: Communal Harmony Project-50

Shams Ur Rehman Alavi

A large number of Muslims welcomed the Vijayadashami procession in Mandideep, the satellite township near Bhopal.

At two different places, Muslims welcomed the Hindu community members who participated in the procession.

They garlanded the Hindu brethren, welcomed them, threw rose petals at the procession and also shared sweets.
But this is not the first such instance. It has been a tradition in Mandideep.

For, at least, thirty years, local Muslims have been garlanding and welcoming the procession in the 'Vijayadashami Juloos', mentions journalist Ateek Ahmad. In fact, such gestures go a long way towards strengthening bonds among communities at the local level.

At the Station Road, lot of Muslims led by Iqbal Ali and Salman Bhai welcomed the procession and garlanded the people. Later, Akhtar Ali, Ramzan Khan and many others too felicitated the prominent members of the Hindu community including the priests.

These traditions over a period of few yrs become strong and people start taking pride in 'our city's tradition', helps solve law-and-order issues too. Those doing it get respect, recognition too. In Bhopal too, Hindus and Muslims have welcomed each others' procession, historically.

[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. This is a small attempt to change it through Communal Harmony Project]

For reading similar reports on this blog, Click the link HERE and also find out more about Communal Harmony Project]

#Communalharmony #Communalharmonyproject #India

[Photo courtesy: Nai Dunia newspaper]

Muslims extend helping hand, join Hindu neighbours in preparation for Dussehra: Communal Harmony Project-49

This is a photograph of local Muslims extending helping hand to Hindu neighbours, ahead of Dussehra.

This picture is from Bhopal. In Karod locality, the Dussehra Maidan is being readied for the festival.

The Muslims decided that they would join their neighbours in clearing the ground and in the preparations for the festival.

Just one of the innumerable such examples that we see in our daily lives in India.

Shouldn't we feel this is the real and normal India. Why not carry these photographs, share them and show them to people who feel that there is another India where just hate, abuse and lynchings happen!

It is all in our mind. If we make a resolve that we will spread positive narrative and circulate good news along with encouraging people to share such stories, perhaps, things can change a lot. So do share positive stories.

[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. Photos courtesy Mr Shafi Khan.

This is a small attempt to change it through Communal Harmony Project]

For reading similar reports on this blog, Click the link HERE and also find out more about Communal Harmony Project]

#Communalharmony #Communalharmonyproject #India

Photo that shows Hindu-Muslim bonding, brotherhood has taken social media by storm: Communal Harmony Project-48

This photograph has just gone viral on the internet. 

So many people are sharing it on social media, admiring it.

Of course, no caption is needed for the photo. It shows two processions passing by a route and the participants meeting, greeting the other(s)

There are positive vibes that come out. It all looks so good, almost surreal. 

That's different from another parallel world where even an advertisement that gives a message of brotherhood, can lead to people calling for boycott of brands.

Frankly, there are still lot of mixed localities in most cities in India. There are committees that organise events, take processions and have members of different communities in them. 

And, there are organisations, peace committees, where too they interact, support each others in events. Culturally too Muslims visit many Hindu functions and Hindus visit many Muslim events.

Just that we must share these stories and pictures as much as possible. It is learnt that this photo is from Silwassa. The Muharram procession and the Ganesha procession were passing through the same road. 

[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.

This is a small attempt to change it through Communal Harmony Project]

For reading similar reports on this blog, Click the link HERE and also find out more about Communal Harmony Project]

#Communalharmony #Communalharmonyproject #India

Muslims serving the Hindu pilgrims during Kanwar Yatra in Uttar Pradesh: Communal Harmony Project-46

Is it not a wonderful sight to see Muslims tending to the Hindus who are part of the Kanwar Yatra, a religious journey?

This is a scene from a street in Uttar Pradesh. At this camp, the men who are part of the Yatra and get injured in the long walk, are given medication.

The volunteers provide health assistance, apply medicines and provide first-aid. This is just an example of what happens on the ground.

Unfortunately, this is not reported much and we hardly catch a glimpse of such stories on TV. The headlines will always be about conflict, controversy or communal hatred, inflammatory speeches or divisive politics.

As a result, people get a different perception. Being good or doing good, doesn't make it to the news. If you are a vandal or you break a law, you are on TV. Just because the saying among journalists is, Dog biting Man is not news, Man biting Dog is the news.

However, this is all the more a reason to write about communal harmony and the love-brotherhood in real life. This photograph is from Khudai Khidmatgar camp in Muzaffarnagar. The information about the revival of Khudai Khidmatgar group in India, is available here.

[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.

This is a small attempt to change it through Communal Harmony Project]

For reading similar reports on this blog, Click the link HERE and also find out more about Communal Harmony Project]

#Communalharmony #Communalharmonyproject #India

Muslims help restore 80-year-old temple for Kashmiri Pandits: Communal Harmony Project-45

It is another hearing story. Kashmiri Muslims helping restore an old temple so that the Kashmiri Pandits can worship, there.

This is happening in Achan village in Pulwama. Local Muslims have joined hands with their neighbours to rebuild the Shiva temple.

The chairman of the local Waqf committee, Nazeer Mir, said that the Kashmiri Pandit family wanted the temple to be restored, so that devotees can again come here and worship.

In the past, people came from far and wide to pay obeisance at this temple. But after militancy began, the situation changed. Most of the Pandits had migrated from Achan, years ago.

The lone Hindu family in Achan wanted temple to be restored and hence local Muslims took up the task. Got Rs 4 lakh sanctioned from the district administration. They hope that the temple that was neglected for long, would be read soon for the devotees.

A report in The Tribune by M Aamir Khan mentions  that, "This temple is famous for a spring that changes colours and devotees from all over the country used to come here".

Mohammad Yunus, a member of the Auqaf Committee, said they wanted that the temple bells and ‘azaan’ (call for prayer) were heard together at Achan. “It is our wish that Pandits return and live together with us like before. 

Though the restoration work started in August last year, it had to be stopped in the winter due to heavy snowfall. By summer, we are hopeful that our village will hear the ‘azaan’ and temple bells together,” he said.

NDTV report by Nazir Masoodi quotes Bhushan Lal, "Our neighbours who are Muslims are doing it because they respect this temple". His younger brother, Sanjay Kumar, said it's their Muslim neighbours who are more important to them than their relatives who have migrated from the village. 

He said it's not just restoration of the temple but they take care of everything in most troubled times. "We live here like brothers and the Awqaf committee helped us in its restoration" said Mr Kumar.

LINK: Neighbours join hands to restore temple in Jammu and Kashmir [NDTV]

LINK: Pandits, Muslims join hands to renovate temple in Kashmir [Tribune]

Photo Courtesy: Early Post

Administration stops Namaz in park, companies make provision for Muslim employees in premises: Communal Harmony Project-44

After the administration forcibly stopped Namaz in parks in Noida, several companies have showed a great gesture.

They have made provision that Namaz can be held on Friday in the premises of these companies [or factories].

Hindus largely supported Muslims, realising that the community members pray on Friday in congregation and due to lack of mosques in the area, often find a place where they can pray.

There was condemnation of the order. Worse, local officials ordered to pour water on the ground where Namaz is held so that people couldn't pray.

In such a situation, Hindu community decided to take a stand. Many officials said that they would ensure that the Muslim employees don't face the problem.

Ironically, the news about this gesture didn't get much coverage in the newspapers and Hindi dailies printed single column news. The owners said that Muslims have been allotted space.

At some places on premises on the ground, at other places on the rooftop. They have also said that they would ensure arrangement of Imam. This is a story that needs to be told. When people care for each other, it helps in building a strong nation.

READ: GOVT SHUTS PARK FOR PRAYERS, FACTORY OWNERS OPEN CAMPUSES

[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.

This is a small attempt to change it through Communal Harmony Project]

For reading similar reports on this blog, Click the link HERE and also find out more about Communal Harmony Project]

#Communalharmony #Communalharmonyproject #India

Man who feeds hundreds of people daily says hunger has no religion: Communal Harmony Project-42

Shams Ur Rehman Alavi

A man in Hyderabad is now known for running a free food campaign for the poor in the city.

Azhar Maqsusi, is passionate about feeding the poor.

Once he saw a disabled woman, Laxmi, crying and found that it was because of hunger, after her son had left her. This was the moment that he decided to offer food to poor.

He was just four-years-old when his father had passed away. His mother raised him and he remembers that he suffered a lot--even remained hungry. But his mother told him to be patient and care for others.

As he grew up, he started a shop. Now running a 'Plaster of Paris' shop, he began feeding the hungry. Hundreds of poor people near Dabirpura in Hyderabad, are offered food. After he started the work, his friends offered him.

"A friend gives sacks of grains every month". When people learnt that he was doing this noble work, they began coming forward and offered voluntary support. Azhar says that there is still criticism but he doesn't bother.

"When I began, I never thought I would get support. My wife would cook it at home. After a year, a US-based person was the first who came forward and supported us--donating rice bags every month".

Azhar says that once you decide that you will do something good, there will be support and God's help. Nearly 10 crore people sleep empty stomach daily in India and many more suffer from malnutrition. Hence, people must come forward and feed hungry.

Photo Courtesy, LINK: The Talking Turkeys

[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.

This is a small attempt to change it through Communal Harmony Project]

For reading similar reports on this blog, Click the link HERE and also find out more about Communal Harmony Project]

#Communalharmony #Communalharmonyproject #India

Hindus offer sherbet at Jama Masjid, join Muslims in celebrating Eid: Communal Harmony Project-41

This is a photograph from Burhanpur, a historic town in South Western part of Madhya Pradesh.

A group of local Hindus went to the Jama Masjid and wished Muslims 'Eid Mubarak'.

They offered 'sherbet' to Muslims who came to offer the special prayers on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.

Now, these are gestures we witness all over India but not every such incident is mentioned. Muslims offer sherbet to 'Kanwariyas'. Sikhs, Christians too do join festivities of other communities.

The members of the Hindu Seva Samiti offered 400 lites of sherbet to Muslims at the Jama Masjid near Lal Bagh in the town. The office-bearer, Rakesh Chauksey, said that they celebrate Hindu festivals and speak for Hindus' rights but also join people belonging to other communities in celebrating their events. This is the photo courtesy Hindi newspaper, Dainik Bhaskar.

[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.

This is a small attempt to change it through Communal Harmony Project]

For reading similar reports on this blog, Click the link HERE and also find out more about Communal Harmony Project]

#Communalharmony #Communalharmonyproject #India

Diwali celebrated at Dargah Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, Haji Ali: Communal Harmony Project-41

On the left is the photograph of Diwali celebration at Dargah Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya in Delhi.

This is just one of the umpteen such photos that show how Dargahs-Khanqahs have been celebrating Hindu and Muslim festivals together.

Another photo below shows how the entire Dargah has been lit up. The photo is courtesy @suficulturalorg

There are photographs of Haji Ali, the famous Sufi Shrine in Mumbai, lighting up on the occasion of Diwali, too.

This photo is also attached here (on the right).

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That's how we have been living and celebrating together, for ages.

When hundreds of millions live together, there is shared culture, joining each other in festivals. A few people will always be negative or start 'whataboutery'.

Even in the darkest times, never lose hope. There are numerous good people around us. Also, many fall to propaganda.

While it is important to fight injustice. Also keep sharing info about diverse aspects of the society & culture. Many don't believe or dislike or raise questions This is a huge, huge country. There are incidents of hate, and also there is love, harmony.

So just because we see lot of hate, amplified on social media, we do report news of harmony and certain traditions too. It is all goodwill, being humane. Of course, there's no onus on anybody to follow anyone's rituals.

We can simply be humane, celebrate with our friends, join them in their festivities, wish them, be good, spread the positive news. Acrimony, anger, bitterness, whataboutery--everyday, on each post, its so bad.

Muslims have been celebrating and joining the festivities with Hindu, Sikh, Christian and devotees of other faiths. And it's true for adherents of other faiths too. Whoever believes in harmony and humanity, would always share his neighbours' festivities.

And someone who is a bigot, will always see negativity even in the most positive things. Thanks to Delhi Karvan also for sharing photo. Credit to them as well as SufiCulturalOrg.

[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.

[This post has been updated on October 28, 2019]

This is a small attempt to change it through Communal Harmony Project]

For reading similar reports on this blog, Click the link HERE and also find out more about Communal Harmony Project]

#Communalharmony #Communalharmonyproject #India

Hindus visit mosques, ask devout to recite verses to cure illness: Communal Harmony Project-40

He was standing at the gate of the mosque for quite sometime.

The youth with a 'tilak', around 22-23 year old, standing with an infant in his arms, outside.

'Phoonk padwana hai', he said. 'Bachcha bimaar hai'. I asked him, 'Dawa di".

He replied in affirmative and said that 'phoonk padwa lenge to jaldi theek ho jayega'. There was hardly anyone inside as the prayer time was over long back.

When my elderly cousin came out, I told him. He blew the air, reciting some verses. Though I had seen this in qasbahs a lot, it was a bit surprising to see it in city, even now. That was at Muttaqipur in Lucknow, last month.

Just when TV channels spread Islamophobia and we hear news about lynchings, hatred, at the same time such traditions and stories give you another perspective about the country, on the ground.

[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.

This is a small attempt to change it through Communal Harmony Project]

For reading similar reports on this blog, Click the link HERE and also find out more about Communal Harmony Project]

#Communalharmony #Communalharmonyproject #India