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The chief priest of Sarayukunj Ramjanaki temple expressed his hope that more Hindu temples across the country will emulate the International Society for Krishna Consciousness' gesture and organize "interfaith programs that can help breed communal harmony in the society." "Such an Iftar party hosted by a Hindu temple for Muslims aims to foster a universal brotherhood, which the society badly needs today," Shastri, a peace activist, told. The riots that followed claimed at least 2,000 lives across India. Some Hindus believed Muslim invaders had built the mosque on the birthplace of the mythical Hindu god-king Rama. There could be nothing better than hosting an Iftar party for them in a gesture of goodwill," he said.Īs Hindu-Muslim rivalry and riots are common in India, the ISKCON gesture of holding Iftar "deserves appreciation," said Yugal Kishore Sharan Shastri, chief priest of Sarayukunj Ramjanaki temple in the Hindu holy city of Ayodhya, in northern Indian Uttar Pradesh state.Īyodhya witnessed one of the worst Hindu-Muslim riots in recent history after a Hindu mob destroyed a 16th-century mosque in 1992. "We wanted to offer a special treat to our Muslim neighbors during our celebration of our 50th anniversary. They are our neighbors, our brothers," Das said.
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We employ them for construction and many other works in which they are experts. They supply materials required in our temple rituals. "Many local Muslims are involved with our day to day activities in the temple. However, this was first time the temple hosted an Iftar party for Muslims, Das said.
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While Muslims are not allowed to enter the areas of many Hindu temples in India, the local Muslim community has free access to the ISKCON temple and most of its rituals. The Mayapur temple has a long and close relationship with Muslims in their neighborhood. In 50 years the group, headquartered in Mayapur complex, has established some 550 centers across the globe. Madhab Gouranga Das, the public relations officer of the Hindu group, said the Iftar was organized as part of celebration of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness' 50th anniversary. The fact the ISKCON hosted the Iftar right inside their temple complex "meant they did everything from the bottom of their heart and they view Muslims as their brothers," Sheikh said. "Sometimes non-Muslims send Iftar meals to the houses of some Muslim friends, neighbors and mosques," but they don't host Iftars in the manner that the International Society for Krishna Consciousness did, Sheikh said. Muslim businessman Mohammad Reazul Sheikh said the gesture was significant because it was unheard of in the religiously sensitive area of eastern India. "The response from Muslims in neighboring villages was so overwhelming that more than 160 turned up at the temple, while temple authorities only expected 75 people," Islam said. "We have never heard of any such Iftars being hosted by non-Muslim religious bodies around us in the past," Islam told. The gesture of the group, commonly known as the Hare Krishna movement, was "a surprise" to local Muslims and "touched their hearts," Saiful Islam said. Donate to UCA News with a small contribution of your choice