Muslim performs last rites of Hindu friend, wins hearts

Praises continue to pour in for Rahmat Ali, a Muslim man hailing from Odisha’s Sundergarh, after he actively participated in the funeral of his Hindu friend who died of Covid-19 last week.

According to reports, a 40-year-old man, identified as Sanatan Patel of Bandhapali area in Sundergarh, died while undergoing treatment at a Covid hospital. His body was taken to the nearby crematorium for last rites.

When Rahmat Ali got the shocking news of his friend’s death due to coronavirus, he immediately rushed to the crematorium where he along with the crematorium staff members performed the last rites with complete adherence to Covid-19 guidelines.

He also changed ‘Ram

Nam Satya Hai, Hari Nam Satya Hai’ while carrying the bier along with the deceased’s relatives to the crematorium at Ranibagicha.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has affected us like nothing else in our lifetimes and it has taught us that humanity is above everything else. Rahamat’s act inspires hope in these times of despair and despondency,” Sidhant Panda, a staff member of the crematorium said on Wednesday.

“Amidst the plethora of disturbing images of the dead being abandoned and denied a dignified funeral, even by the near and dear ones, Rahmat Ali’s humanly act not only gives a message that humanity transcends all barriers of faith, but also teaches us how to surmount the evils of fear and stigma in these dark times,” said R.P. Gupta, a noted social activist of Sundergah.