– Anusha Hussain
As millions of exhausted travellers passed through during the Mahakumbh festival, Prayagraj’s Muslim community embraced their guests with affectionate arms and warm hearts. They cooked nourishing meals, shared their homes, and offered medical care to those in need, considering them as family members. Mosques and madrasas began to become vibrant hubs of compassion with imams and maulanas deep in the disciplined dedication to serve humanity.
Mohammad Khalid, a local resident, said: “We opened our doors to the Hindu devotees. We fed them, sheltered them, and got them treated in hospitals. We had a duty to serve them, as they would serve us if we were in need.”
Rahim Khan, a shopkeeper, said: “I provided free drinks to the worshippers who would walk past my shop. It was a meagre act, but it did smile at them. Muslims are known for extending hospitality to every visitor irrespective of their religion.”
Dr. Shahida Parveen, a local doctor, stated: “I volunteered my medical services to the devotees who required medical attention. It was heart-warming to see people from different faiths coming together to help each other. This is the true spirit of Ganga-Jamuni Tahzeeb.”
Maulana Saifullah, Imam of a local mosque, said: “We opened the doors of our mosque. We were providing shelter and food to devotees. Our religion teaches us compassion and goodness toward all of humanity. We can boast with pride at becoming part of this interfaith harmony initiative.”
Imran Khan, a student, also said: “I had volunteered as a student to support the relief process. It really surprised me to see the sense of camaraderie among people from diverse faiths: we all, together, in solidarity, saw to it that the devotees were able to experience this visit in comfort and safety.”
Shahzad Alam, a local businessman, said: “I offered my warehouse as a shelter for the devotees. We provided them with blankets, mattresses, and the rest. I mean, a small contribution would make a lot of difference.”
