Goemkarponn desk
VASCO: The Trustees of Masjid-e-Noor, Dabolim, on account of Eid Milan celebrated in the Masjid especially to share the joy of Eid with Non-Muslim friends, proposed to welcome the Ram Navmi procession next year with sweets, drinks and hugs in front of the Masjid.
In his speech, Shaikh Iqbal Mohiddin, Trustee, said that “This year in Ramadan when we gathered to part before breaking fast, a huge procession gathered outside the Masjid and made a lot of noise shouted inciting slogans and danced and we were taken by a surprise. Later, the same procession created a mess at Islampura Masjid. Next year, we request the Ram Navmi procession committee to inform us two days in advance as we also would like to be a part of the celebration when the procession reaches the Masjid. We would love to welcome them with sweets, drinks and hugs.”
The committee intends to promote communal harmony, he said.
The speakers for the function were Parish Priest of St. Andrew’s Church, Vasco, Anthony Vas, Social worker and Poet Sneha Bhandare and Member of Jamat-E-Islami Hind Moulana Shahid Memon. Shaikh said that “The Masjid completed 20 glorious years, and it had made history in Goa to make arrangements for female devotees to pray in the Masjid for the first time. And today, again, we have made history by inviting a Non-Muslim woman speaker in the Masjid to address the gathering.”
Fr. Vas said, “Right from childhood, we are taught tolerance towards other religions and their culture. We are taught the values of each religion, and that has made our society strong. No matter how much some people try to break this bond, we have to stick to our values.”
Moulana Memon speaking on the piousness of the month of Ramadan, said that “It’s a month to purity soul, to discipline the body and to understand the hunger of the poor and give in charity. The month trains one’s mind and body to be submissive to his Creator and be humble towards other human beings. Loving each other for the sake of Almighty brings worldly and hereafter success to human beings. We fast in Ramadan as the Holy Quran was sent during this month,”
Bhandare, in her speech, focused on the Sarva Dharma, where all religions are equal and keeping faith in all God is a way of life.
She said, “If a person attains compassion, all his troubles come to an end. He becomes one with the universe and brings peace to society. He becomes of help to others and gains inner peace and prosperity.”
Many Hindus and Christian guests participated in the Eid Milan, which was followed by dinner.
The committee stressed building love and peace in the community and not falling prey to anti-socials. “We are fortunate to have the majority of people in our country who are sensible and peace-loving, and we should try to win the hate with love or else isolate them,” Memon said.