Keypoints:
- The transformation in social groups has been remarkable but specific measures are needed for the Muslim youth.
- Mahim Dargah launches an initiative to promote harmonious living.
The Sufi Shrine Mahim Dargah will be signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with some of the leading Hindu, Christian and Sikh places of worship and religious organizations to shore up support for a conflict free, peaceful living. This decision has been taken to counter the forces of fanaticism and bigotry.
Pir Makhdoom Ali Mahimi charitable trust’s managing trustee Sohail Khandwani said that,”We, as a seat of Sufi values, have a responsibility to promote peace. Peace cannot be promoted in an environment of intolerance. We are reaching out to like-minded religious and spiritual organisations to partner us in this task of harmonious living.”
He also added that he was speaking to the management of dozens of small and big dargahs and mosques in the city and they are expected to highlight the move. Some of the steps planned are Sufi music, concerts, interfaith dialogues and peace and harmony marches.
Amid the lockdown, Haji Ali Dargah and Mahim Dargah had facilitated distribution of ration provided by the actor Amitabh Bachchan among thousands of needy in the city.“The experience taught us that more inter-community interactions are needed,” said Khandwani.
“We are in the process of preparing the proposal in consultation with our advocates,” he added.
The alliance will both firefight during troubled times and work to strengthen harmony through the year. “It is not a one-time initiative. We will ensure that our members meet regularly and hold inter-faith dialogues to remove misunderstanding and misconceptions,” said Sabir Syed, director, Information Technology, at Mahim Dargah.
Since misconception is the keypoint for growing misunderstandings between communities,Rev Ajahn Prashi Ratna Gautam, president of leading Buddhist organisation Sanghakaya Foundation, is backing the initiative as it seeks to know neighbours. “The gap between the communities has widened so much that we claim to have ‘bhaichara’ (brotherhood) but actually use each other as ‘chara’ (fodder),” quipped Gautam. Just by saying we are brothers is not working, he said, suggesting actions on the ground.
One of the steps Abraham Mathai, president, Indian Christian Voice, suggested is urging the government to reserve flats for members of minority communities in housing societies
Aadesh Bandekar of Sri Siddhivinayak Temple Trust said he had not received the proposal yet and would comment only after seeing the proposal for the alliance.
