Harihar, Sep 1: It was a feast not only for the eyes but for mind and soul equally – quite unexpected rather unbelievable for many. People of all faiths were invited to attend the Friday Sermon and witness the congregational prayer in Harihar town in Karnataka. It is situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, 275 kilometres north of Bengaluru.
Even though Masjid-e-Ali, the venue is located at the corner of the town in Prashanth Nagar, enthusiasts from different parts of the town thronged the mosque well in time. For most of the men and women, young and old who witnessed the Muslim way of prayer were thrilled for the first-time experience.
Akbar Ali, state secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, delivered the sermon in Kannada language which was another point of attraction for the Kannada-knowing public. Even though ‘visit our mosque’ programmes are held in different places of the state these days, but inviting people for Friday Sermon was first of its kind.
‘Entering mosque dispels misconceptions and reveals what truly happens inside. By coming here, we understand our unity. Religious leaders here deliver messages that foster harmony’ was the impression of one of the visitors. ‘The message of unity and love conveyed from here was exceptionally well,’ said another visitor.
A lady quite happily said, ‘We had doubts about the differences between our God and their God, so we came to find out the truth. We found the experience very enlightening and appreciate their explanation about God’.
Vegetarian meals were hosted to all the visitors by the JIH town unit at the end of the prayer. Islamic literature in Kannada displayed there also served as carry-home message in true sense.
