– Mohammed Talha
Shivamogga: In a city often defined by its communal fault lines, a quiet yet powerful transformation took place on May 25 at Masjid-e-Halima, Wadi-e-Huda. As part of a statewide initiative by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Karnataka, the mosque hosted an open house titled “Come Visit Our Mosque”, inviting people of all faiths to step inside, observe Islamic practices, and engage in open-hearted dialogue.
Despite preceding days of continuous rain, the skies remained clear on Saturday, offering a rare sunny day – something many participants viewed as a sign of divine blessing. The event ran from 11 AM to 7 PM, and visitors came throughout the day, arriving at their convenience. They were received with warmth and humility by the Muslim community, who took them on guided walks through the mosque, explaining everything from ablution (wudu) to the architecture, prayer rituals, and the structure of Friday sermons (khutbah).
Among the many who walked through the mosque doors was Priya, a local college lecturer.
“I had never stepped into a mosque before,” she shared. “I used to think it was forbidden for people like me. But today, I felt not like a guest, but like a fellow seeker.”
That sentiment was echoed throughout the day as Dalit leaders, Christian clergy, Hindu priests, social activists, and ordinary citizens experienced a place they had only known from a distance – and often through distortion.
A key contributor to the success of the event was Akbar Ali Udupi, State Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, who served as the main resource person. His calm, articulate explanations helped demystify Islamic rituals, beliefs, and community life, ensuring that questions were answered and dialogue encouraged without defensiveness or hesitation.
The programme was particularly meaningful for Dalit participants, who noted the symbolic power of their inclusion. In a society where many Dalits are still denied entry into temples, the mosque’s open gates stood as a profound statement of equality, dignity, and brotherhood.
The valedictory session featured prominent religious and community leaders:
- Basava Marulasiddha Mahaswamiji, Head of Basava Tatva Peetha, Chikkamagaluru and Basava Kendra, Shivamogga;
- Bishop Francis Rao S.J., President of the Shivamogga Diocese; and
- Akbar Ali Udupi, JIH State Secretary.
In his address, Dr. Basava offered a powerful reflection:
“It is a tragedy of our times that we must invite people to visit a mosque in order to dispel misconceptions. We live in a democracy – why should there be such misunderstandings about each other’s faiths?”
His words touch deeply, highlighting the manufactured nature of mistrust, often born of ignorance and fear, rather than true doctrinal differences.
Even more stirring was the remark from Bishop Francis Rao, visibly moved by what he experienced:
“This is not just Masjid Darshan – this is God Darshan. I felt the presence of the Divine not just in the silence of prayer, but in the compassion and openness shown by the community.”
The “Come Visit Our Mosque” initiative is part of JIH Karnataka’s ongoing campaign to dispel myths and build understanding – a campaign that extends from major cities to small towns and villages, rooted in the belief that only through dialogue can brotherhood flourish.
As the event drew to a close and visitors stepped out into the sunlight, a quiet realisation lingered among them: perhaps the greatest miracle of the day was not the rare sunshine, but the light that entered when the doors were opened.
In Shivamogga, a mosque showed that peace isn’t just prayed for – it’s practised.
