Mangalore: It was a feast of harmony and peace indeed when the members of both Hindu and Muslim communities got together for a ‘Sauharda Iftar Koota’ on Wednesday 9 August 2012 evening at the Coast Guard Police Station in Kasaba Bengre, Mangalore.
Hosted by Jamat-e-Islami Hind (JIH), Kasaba Bengre unit, in association with Karnataka State Police Coast Guard, the event was aimed at promoting communal harmony in the region.
Delivering the keynote address, H.D. Mendonsa of Coastal Security Police Force said that ‘unity in diversity’ could be achieved only if each one would tolerate, honour and respect other existing religions as much as his own. Kasaba Bengre is a place where people live in peace, and leaders of the region do not allow the calmness and harmony existing there to be disrupted, even if rare disputes were to occur. They should continue to live in harmony in future as well, he urged.
Additional General Manager of Bharathi Shipyard, Mangalore, Chandrashekar Suvarna said that humanity was the main religion that people ought to follow. One can see an example of unity in diversity in a small area like this. In places where Muslims and Hindus are in equal numbers, group leaders should prevent communal clashes, which happen due to communication gap between members of different communities. Individuals should take care not to give in to whims of their religion, but should co-exist in harmony. Harmony and sharing should be protected, he advised.
Stating that there was no disruption of peace in the small region of Kasaba Bengre, Coastal Security Police Inspector Mukund Nayak said that it should serve as an example of others. The message of peace and companionship should be passed on to the next generation. Friendly ties should not be limited only to the month of Ramadan, but should be maintained throughout the year, he said.
Delivering the presidential address, Manager of Shanti Prakashana Mohammed Kunhi said that one should learn a religion’s original principles and values without misinterpretation or bias. “Only then can we resolve disputes and issues,” he said.
He said that the unsatisfactory life that we led was due to the lifestyle we had adopted. It has been spoiling us, and creating disharmony in our lives. All religions teach the principle of self-control, the method to cleanse ourselves of evil and corrupt thoughts, he said.
Speaking on the significance of Islam, he said that it was a training camp which taught us how to live right. It teaches us to cleanse our soul and body, to control our tongue and to sympathise with the unprivileged. It teaches us to control our mind, he said.
Mr Kunhi also spoke on the necessity of Zakat to cleanse one’s wealth. “During the month of Ramadan, 25 per-cent of the world’s population change their lifestyle, which proves that you could change yourself if you had the willpower to do so,” he said. He also stressed on the need to learn and cultivate control and toleration.
Vice-President of Our Lady of Fatima Church, Thannirbavi, Clifford Lobo said that death was imminent, but the way we led our life would help us attain a higher level of living. Tulunada Rakshana Vedike Working President Srikanth Salian also spoke on the occasion. President of JIH, Mangalore, Saeed Ismaeel welcomed the gathering.
The meet for communal harmony ended at the break of dusk with a sumptuous ‘Iftar’ that was laid for those gathered.