During the current holy month of Ramadan, Jama Masjid Al Shams, Mira Road, has stepped up to set an example of brotherhood and peaceful coexistence. According to a Free Press Journal article, Muzaffar Hussain, a former legislator and managing trustee of the Jama Masjid Al Shams Mosque, had extended invitation to visit the mosque to worshippers of all faiths and castes. As provided by Hussain, the objective behind this initiative is to unite people of different religions on one platform and to tear down barriers between communities by fostering an interactive, healthy environment that would foster fraternity and disseminate the message of communal harmony.
And on March 31, scores of people, irrespective of their caste and religion, took up the invitation and visited the mosque as a gesture of goodwill and togetherness. The guest list included local Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav and Navratri Utsav mandals officials, as well as Gujaratis, Jains, Marwaris, Christians, and Maharashtrians.
Amidst the systematic hate leading to growing anger and despair, it is important to showcase a lived reality of camaraderie, equality and sharing which is the bedrock of the Indian Constitution and secularism. That way we not only hold on to every thread of hope, but effectively project these narratives, lest we lose our will to fight the good fight. As part of our #EverydayHarmony series, CJP brings you instances where Indians share and care, every single day… our food, our businesses, our homes and our friendships. This instances show how we Indians continue to reject hateful and divisive agendas even while street violence and social media are used as part of a sinister, hate-filled political agenda to tell us otherwise. Let’s reinforce India’s everyday lived reality, and through that collectively and aggressively, uphold and defend a unique pluralism, a diverse culture and truly secular values. Donate now to help us combat hate and prejudice!
As per the report, the guests were personally greeted and welcomed by the revered clerics of the mosque by offering them traditional shawls. After that, the people were provided with a tour of the mosque and given a breakdown of the customs and rituals that are observed during the holy month, such as iftar (breaking of the fast), salat (five times a day), and roza (fasting).
“Humanity is the biggest religion,” the clerics of the mosque declared, emphasizing that all people are children of One God and that different religions observe different holy days for different purposes, such as Lent for Christians, Navratri for Hindus, and Ramadan for Muslims. As per the clerics, these religious rituals across religions are meant to promote spiritual purification and self-discipline.
Remarkably, the Jama Masjid Al Shams was the first place of worship in the state to lead by example by lowering the volume of sound to levels that were appropriate for Azaan.
The mosque has installed special sound systems with built-in software that is designed and programmed to ensure that the sound does not exceed the permissible decibel limit both inside and outside the mosque premises in order to voluntarily comply with the Supreme Court’s guidelines regarding permissible sound levels as per the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules.
It is essential to note that this message of harmony and brotherhood sent by Jama Masjid Al Shams, Mira Road will set the narrative right. In the month of January and February Mira Road and Naya Nagar had grabbed the headlines of mainstream media as episodes of communal violence and hate speeches by majoritarian leads had taken place in the area. Even after attempts were made by many, especially BJP MLA Raja Singh, BJP MLA Nitesh Rane and BJP MLA Geeta Jain, to give rise to communal tensions in the area, the communities have now come together to promote the message of brotherhood.
It is essential to note that on March 27, an FIR had been registered against Telangana BJP leader T Raja Singh for allegedly hurting the religious sentiments of communities with his hate speech during a rally on Mira Road on February 25, said MIRA Bhayandar Vasai Virar (MBVV) police. The BJP leader was booked under sections 153(A), 188 and 295(A) of the Indian Penal Code which deals with dividing communities by hurting their religious sentiments. The residents of Mira Road had also submitted a written complaint to the senior PI of the Naya Nagar Police Station, Vilas Supe in Mira Road demanding registration of a First Information Report (FIR), thorough and fair investigation and prompt legal action against BJP MLAs Geeta Jain and Nitesh Rane. The residents had accused both of them to be responsible for unnecessarily stoking communal fires over the Ram Temple event at Ayodhya on January 22, 2024.
Notably, a petition had also been moved in the Bombay High Court to seek action against three Bharatiya Janata Party leaders for delivering hate speeches and inciting violence. Details of the same can be read here.
Details of the hate speeches delivered and the communal violence can be read here.
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