Non-Muslim religious organisations hold Iftar event at Bajrang Akhara

Office-bearers and activists from various non-Muslim social and religious organisations on Saturday held an Iftar party in the Bajrang Akhara area of Mandi Ahmedgarh. Jaswant Singh Gajjanmajra, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator from Amargarh, Municipal Council president Vikas Krishan Sharma and Guga Peer Welfare Trust patron Jatinder Sharma Happy led proceedings at the event.

Shree Ram Mandir chairman Deepak Sharma and All-India Brahmin Front president Mahant Swaroop Biharisharan said management committees of various Hindu shrines and religious organisations had perpetuated the tradition of celebrating religious festivals of Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims together.

Similar programmes were organised in nearby towns and surrounding Muslim-dominated localities, including Dehliz, Kanganwal, Rohira, Momnabad and Rasulpur villages of Malerkotla district. The organisers said the gesture intended to reciprocate Muslims’ presence and participation during the festivals of Holi, Basant Panchmani, Lohri, Diwali and Gurparabs and to foster communal harmony, brotherhood and peace in the region.

Led by Malerkotla MLA Mohammad Jamil Ur Rahman, who is currently the only Muslim MLA from the state, residents appreciated the example set by the Hindus and Sikhs of the region by hosting Iftar parties according to the schedules decided by the Muslim community, especially at a time when political leaders in many states were pitting Hindus and Muslims against each other. “Peace-loving secular Hindus and Sikhs have set a precedent by respecting sentiments of their Muslim brothers irrespective of their political allegiance,” said Rahman.

“By organising and attending this Iftar party, both non-Muslims and Muslims of the border state have given a befitting reply to those who have been spreading poison and dividing people along religious lines,” said MLA Gajjanmajra.