Kerala temple sets example, organises iftar for Muslims to make them part of temple festival
Malappuram: Setting an example of communal harmony, a Kerala temple organised an iftar gathering for Muslims who could not take part in an annual feast held as part of the temple’s consecration day because they were fasting for Ramadan.
The iftar was organised by the office-bearers of the Sree Mahavishnu temple in Vaniyannur, near Tirur in Malappuram district on the temple premises for more than 200 Muslims from the neighbourhood on April 7.
The Telegraph quoted N. Shashi Kumar, member of the temple committee as saying, “Our Muslim brothers and sisters have traditionally been part of our temple festival in many ways. We decided to organise iftar for them since they could not participate in the community feast and expressed sadness at missing out on the event where everyone, irrespective of caste and religion, sits together and enjoys a sadya (the traditional Kerala vegetarian meal).”
The community feast was organised in the ancient temple in the Muslim-majority area which was renovated a few years ago. For around 2,000 people attended the consecration day, April 6. Since Muslims missed the feast, the iftar gathering was held the following day.
Imams, Islamic teachers, local political leaders from rival entities such as the Indian Union Muslim League and the CPM were part of the iftar gathering.
The Muslims were served dates, fruits, traditional snacks, vegetable biryani and lemonade in the iftar.
Kumar doesn’t see anything unusual or special about inviting Muslims or Christians to the feast as it is a local tradition bound by communal harmony.
Describing it as an example worth emulating, local panchayat member Medammal Muneerunnisa of the Left Democratic Front, who was among those who attended the iftar gathering, said “At a time like this, when communally insensitive acts are becoming common in many parts of the country, the example set by this temple is worth emulating.”
Appreciating the gesture of inviting Muslims for iftar at the temple a noble deed Muslims asserted that it would go a long way in strengthening communal amity in Kerala.
Muneerunnisa, who has been participating in the annual feast at the temple for several years, said “Unlike the negative propaganda against our district, Malappuram has always been an abode of communal amity where everyone, irrespective of religion, live in peace.”
