Display of communal harmony during ‘iftar’ in old Srinagar

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, June 23

Scenes of communal harmony were witnessed during the ‘iftar’ (fast breaking time) on Thursday evening when Sikh volunteers served food to fire victims at the Nowpora area of the summer capital.

Volunteers of ‘Khalsa Aid’ served iftar to members of 26 families of Nowpora who are currently living in tents after the fire destroyed their houses last month. Khalsa Aid volunteer Jeevanjyot Singh said they had also distributed blankets to the fire victims. He said they had last carried out relief work here after the devastating September 2014 floods.

He said Khalsa Aid was an international NGO with the aim of providing humanitarian aid in disaster areas and civil conflict zones around the world and the organisation was based upon the Sikh principle — “Recognise the whole human race as one”.

Local Muslims too joined the Sikh volunteers in serving the iftar. “It is heartening to see people of other faiths serving iftar….we cannot do much for the fire victims who have lost their homes….but we thought this little gesture will at least bring some joy,” said Javid Parsa, owner of Kathi Junction at Sara City Centre.