Muslims set example of amity, join Hindus on pilgrimage
WELCOME GESTURE Muslims also chant slogan hailing Lord Shiva and carry Ganga water
GORAKHPUR: A group of 70 Muslims in Deoria district joined over 100 Hindu kanwarias (devotees of Lord Shiva) who set out on their annual pilgrimage to Shiva temples on the eve of the Hindu holy month of Shravan.
Nizam Ansari, the Muslim head of Kushhari, led the group of Muslims, all of whom were clad in traditional saffron clothes and chanted ‘Har Har Mahadev’.
Dr Sanjeev Shukla, a representative of Rampur Karkhana MLA Kamlesh Shukla , flagged off the journey from Kushhari village.
None of the Muslims, including Nizam Ansari, felt any hesitation in chanting the slogan hailing Lord Shiva, they said. They carried Ganga water which will be offered to the deity.
“Today, we have seen a great example of communal harmony at Kushhari village, where both Hindus and Muslims, embarked together on a pilgrimage to offer Ganga water to Baba Dham. They have set an example of Hindu-Muslim unity,” Shukla said.
Village head Nizam Ansari said, “I respect all religions and want others to do the same by doing away with hatred in the society. For this, I join every religious function with zeal and motivate others to do so. With this, I wish to seek blessings of the people so that I can do something for my village.” Both the Hindu and Muslim pilgrims will meet the expenses from their own resources.
During the kanwar yatra, kanwarias (pilgrims) fill up an earthen vessel with holy water and walk all the way back to offer the water on Shiva idols in temples.