Udupi Church holds Inter-religious Eid celebrations

Udupi Church holds Inter-religious Eid celebrations

Udupi: “Along with upholding human values, by following the principles of mutual cooperation, harmony and goodwill one can see God in each and every human being. This is the true message of the Eid festival”, said the Bishop of Udupi Diocese, Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, while delivering the presidential address at the inter-religious Eid celebrations jointly organized by the Communal Harmony Committee (Souhardha Samiti) of Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi and Lions Club, Udupi Sangama on Tuesday, 27 June 2017.

Bishop Gerald Lobo said that India is a multi-cultural country and it has given a message to the world as a nation that has been living in harmony with people having diverse cultures, religions and languages. The Muslim community, along with 30 days of fast has been giving prominence to prayers, abstinence and charity. The Eid festival strengthens not only relations but also the family bond. Besides this, through charitable work, the community has been helping the poor, thus wiping tears from their eyes. The Bishop hoped that the Eid festival would promote mutual cooperation and harmony among the people belonging to different communities.

The chief guest of the programme, Sri Lakshmivara Teertha Swamiji of Shiroor Math in his message said that in India different communities celebrate their festivals according to their traditions and culture. In Udupi, there is a close relationship between the Muslim community and Sri Krishna Math. Haji Abdulla had provided oil and rice to the Math. However, it is mainly due to the interference of politicians, the relation between different religious communities has been vitiated. Gradually, the unity that was the hallmark of the diverse communities has been turned into suspicion and conflict by selfish and greedy politicians. As a cautious remark, the Swamiji said that the cow that has been worshipped as ‘god’ by Hindus has been used as part of diet by Muslims which has led to tension in the society. In this respect, the Muslim community should introspect and avoid the meat of cows for their diet. This would project Udupi District as a model to the country. All the religious communities by living in harmony and cooperation can resist the evil designs of foreign powers. For this, each and every human being should take responsibility to promote communal harmony and brotherhood.

The religious leader and vice president of the District Wakf Board Committee Moulana Abdul Rehaman Razwi in his address said that celebration of festivals gives relief to troubled minds and enables them to live in peace. By undertaking fast for 30 days, the Muslim community realises the fangs of hunger and helps in alleviating the hunger of the poor by donating food grains to the needy. Nobody should die of hunger is the message of this gesture. It is necessary that we should live in harmony in an atmosphere that is polluted by hatred.

Another guest, Noel Prashant Karkada, pastor of St. Paul CSI Church, Mangalore in his speech said that though many would not understand and attend the significance of Iftar, whenever and wherever there are conflicts centered around religions, people would participate in such incidents, knowingly or unknowingly and proclaim that their religion is supreme. In modern days, those who claim to be the protectors of their religion do not understand the true meaning of their religion. Religion is a way of life. Compassion, peace, harmony and love are the cardinal principles of all religions. The aim of all religions is the same. Empathising in the happiness and sorrow of others is the essence of any religion. The holy scriptures of all religions preach peace. Religions exist for the betterment of human beings and not for their destruction.

Fr Valerian Mendonca, parish priest of Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi welcomed the gathering and Michael D’Souza compered the programme.