21, Oct 2015

Oct 21, 2015 – Shahab Ansari | mumbai
In a heart-warming show of communal harmony, residents of Kurla-Kajupada have decided not to play dandiya this year so that Muslims in the area can organise Muharram sermons for 10 days. As a return gesture, Muslims have decided to refrain from waaz (discourse) on Dussehra.
According to both — Saudagar Kokane, president of Navratan Mitra Mandal which organises the Navratri programme and Haji Majstan Shaikh, vice-president of Rahe Madina Group which organises the 10-day discourse during Muharram — the mutual decision was taken to send out a good message considering the area had earned a bad name for fuelling communal tensions in the past.
Mr Kokane said he and other members of the Mandal realised that both Muharram sermons and Navratri programmes were arranged at Ambedkar Ground in the area as there was no other open space available and since both events fell at the same time, there was a possibility of communal tension in the area which is why they held a meeting with members of Rahe Madina Group and both agreed to adjust for the other side. After all necessary rituals and aarti of the devi are completed by 7 pm to 8 pm, the same ground is used to deliver waaz (discourse) from 9 pm to 10 pm.