Durga Puja - spirit of Hindu-Muslim brotherhood
Bahdohi (UP), (PTI): In an example of communal harmony, a devout muslim has been organising the 'Durga Puja' here since past 28 years.
Mohammad Iqbal Khan has been actvitily participating in Durga Puja since 1979 after his close friend Ghanshyam Das Kapoor started a puja here.
"In those days, only two pujas were organised in the town and Kapoor expressed his desire to begin another puja," Khan said adding, we went to Varanasi to bring a grand idol of the goddess and thus puja began.
Appreciating his contributions, his friend G D Kapoor said, "Khan personally monitors the arrangement for setting up of pandal, selection of the idol, daily prayers till the day of immersion."
He was even intrumental in restart of staging of the Ram Lila during navratri, he said.
Ram Lila, in those days, was very popular but in 1984 it ran into rough weathers due to financial problems, Kapoor said, adding but Khan's contribution of Rs 1,100 prompted others to donate generously in restarting of the play after a gap of two years.
Since past few years, Durga Puja has coincided with the holy month of Ramzan but this has not deterred Khan, who not just keeps fasts but also offers prayers five times a day, in managing the puja.
When asked about any opposition from his community for his participation in puja, Khan said, earlier there was some from relatives but later they along with others in the community relented.
National
