A unique gesture of religious harmony

After a procession held here on October 2 to forge religious unity, evidently stamping the solidarity between religions, vicar of the St Dominic’s Church invited Muslim participants to hold their Maghrib prayer at a hall set in the church.

As it was time for Maghrib and would be late for the Muslim believers to reach a mosque, Fr George Thottankara, vicar of St Dominic’s Church, invited them to pray at one of the halls of the church.

The Islamic believers, who took part in the rally conducted by the Matha Maithry Samity, welcomed the invitation and offered prayers at the church hall.

 The incident was really a pleasant experience for the people belonging to Hindu, Muslim and Christian communities who participated in the peace rally. The rally which started from the premises of Advaita Ashramam was inaugurated by Public Works Minister V K Ebrahim Kunju. Addressing the rally the minister said: “Portraying other religions and their leaders in low esteem and issuing disparaging statements and unleashing violence after it are always unjustifiable.”

 Bishop Mar Thomas Chakiath, Advaita Ashramam secretary Swamy Shivaswaroopananda and Ansar Masjid Imam Faisal Ashari led the rally.

“A situation where man fears man emerges when religious teachings are wrongly interpreted. If the religious leaders can realise those wayward interpretations and prevent them that  will lead to harmony and peace in society.Swamy Shivaswaroopananda said, “Beginning of such a rally from the Advaita Ashramam premises was itself a testimony to the teachings of Sree Narayana Guru who prophesied Advaita doctrines to Kerala.”

Imam Faisal Ashari said that nurturing respect toward all religions is the only way to progress. Muslim

society has always stood for the mutual growth of the members of all sections, he added.

 SNDP Union president C V Anil Kumar presided over the meet. Anwar Sadat MLA, Jose Vithayathil, Faridudin Moulavi, Fr George Thottankara, K K Salim, C K Amir, T B Rahim, Baikhavi, Fr Augustine Thottakkara and T B Hashim addressed the meet.