– Mohammed Talha Siddi Bapa
Chikjambur: As the clock struck five on a rain-soaked Saturday evening, dark clouds loomed over the small village of Chikjambur. The mood, like the weather, was tense. Organisers of the evening’s Qur’an Pravachana, an interfaith initiative led by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) Chikjambur, feared the downpour would wash away weeks of preparation – and with it, the audience they had so earnestly hoped for.
But as the rain stopped just in time for the Maghrib prayer, what unfolded was not just a public event – it was a quiet miracle.
By 7 PM, despite waterlogged streets and sodden pathways, over 600 people, both Muslims and Hindus, had gathered in the village auditorium. For a village of just 4,000 residents across 545 households, this turnout was not only remarkable – it was a stirring testament to Karnataka’s enduring spirit of pluralism and shared humanity. Over 40 percent of the attendees were non-Muslims, drawn not by obligation but by curiosity, respect, and perhaps a quiet yearning for words that unite rather than divide.
The theme of the evening was “A Successful Life in the Light of the Qur’an”, based on the opening verses of Surah Mulk:
“Blessed is He in whose hand is dominion, and He is over all things competent – [He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed – and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving.”
This was not a sermon to convert – it was a message to connect. Rooted in values shared across religious traditions – accountability, humility, service to others, and moral courage – the talk invited reflection, not reaction.
What made the evening even more meaningful was the presence of Shri Linga Shiva Acharya Swami of Kabbine Kanthi Matha, Rattehalli, a respected Hindu spiritual leader. Taking the stage before the main speaker, Secretary JIH Karnataka Mohammed Kunhi from Mangaluru, Swami delivered a heartfelt address on dharma, compassion, and coexistence. He praised the organisers for hosting the programme in an inclusive spirit.
“In a time where hatred is often louder than harmony,” Swami said, “this effort is like lighting a lamp in the darkness. May there be many such lamps.”
A Journey Beyond the Village
Chikjambur is not an exception. The Qur’an Pravachana series, a pioneering initiative of JIH Karnataka, has quietly travelled across the towns and hinterlands of the state – from Bidar to Hassan, Mysuru to Ullal – bringing the wisdom of the Qur’an in Kannada, the language of the people. The aim is not religious persuasion, but moral dialogue – grounded in ethical values, local context, and interfaith respect.
Wherever it is held, a familiar pattern emerges: fear gives way to fellowship, strangers become neighbours, and barriers dissolve in the warmth of understanding. What begins as a religious programme often ends as a community gathering, where people reflect on justice, honesty, family, patience, and peace.
In an age marked by communal suspicion and political polarisation, this gentle effort is rebuilding what is most needed: social trust.
Reclaiming the Moral Narrative
In today’s India, where discussions around Islam are frequently hijacked by sensationalism and stereotype, the Qur’an Pravachana series performs a vital corrective. It presents Islam not as a threat, but as a civilizational resource – deeply ethical, profoundly spiritual, and universally relevant.
This is dawah in its most Gandhian form – not as a confrontation, but as conversation. That Hindu and Christian neighbours attend, listen, and leave with new respect is testament to the quiet power of sincerity.
A Call to Karnataka’s Conscience
They say that rain is mercy – and perhaps it was fitting that the evening began with a downpour. It cleansed the air, softened the earth, and prepared the way for something new to grow. And grow it did.
As the event in Chikjambur came to a close, villagers lingered – not rushing to leave, but savouring the moment. Conversations unfolded. Smiles were exchanged. A shared language had been spoken – not just Kannada, but the language of truth, humility, and mutual respect.
At a time when India is struggling to hold onto its secular soul, the Qur’an Pravachana series stands as a counter-narrative – modest in scale, but majestic in spirit. It invites us not merely to tolerate difference, but to celebrate it as divine design.
As this effort journeys into new towns and touches new hearts, it leaves us with a simple but profound question:
“What kind of India do we wish to build – one of walls, or one of windows?”
