The Sikh community in Peshawar has continued the spirit of goodwill by serving food among fasting Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan with the aim of promoting love, brotherhood, respect and dignity among people of different faiths.
Every year, the Sikh community living in different parts of the country, including Peshawar, organizes iftar (offering of food for breaking the fast) and distribution of food among fasting Muslims to reflect their devotion to the holy month of Ramadan. she does. .
As the month of Ramadan begins, Sikhs in Peshawar come out to organize iftar dinners, announce special discounts at their shops for fasting Muslims, and deliver food items to poor fasting people at their doorsteps. Help them by providing.
To ordinary citizens, the gathering of turbaned Sikhs around long plastic mats spread to serve food to fasting Muslims in places like the Bolton Block of Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar becomes strange and incomprehensible. By which they are surprised and worried.
Many faithful Sikh youths are found standing in front of their doors to distribute food items for the Iftar, expressing surprise.
“This year, within the four days of Ramadan, we have distributed food items to 100 deserving Muslim families to facilitate them in fulfilling their religious obligations,” said the National Peace Council for Interfaith Harmony. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter chairman Jitender Singh informed.
“We have not started organizing Iftar, for which we are looking for volunteers, and will start as soon as arrangements are made,” Jitendra said.
He added that each of the ration packs contains essential items including cooking oil, rice, pulses, gram, pulses, sugar and tea.
This year the price of ration has almost doubled from Rs 2000. 4000 to Rs.7500 due to inflation in the country. He said that donations are coming from people of different religions and the second phase of food ration distribution will start soon.
We used to organize a big iftar for the fasting Muslims, but the corona virus epidemic affected this process.
Jitender added that last year, on Friday only, iftar was organized in different areas of the city due to lack of volunteers.
Apart from organizing Iftar, Jitender said, “We are also focusing on providing food items to the fasting Muslims at their doorsteps.”
As residents for generations, we know who needs financial help in our area, so we help them.
Jitendra Singh said that behind this act of Sikhs is to promote love, brotherhood, respect and honor among people of different religions, adding that we have been living in this country for generations and among its citizens. We want to convey the message of mutual coexistence. .
Jitendra said that our Muslim neighbors and friends also respect the sacred occasions of Sikhs by expressing good wishes.
Similarly, both Muslims and Sikhs participate in occasions of joy and sorrow to maintain unity, neighborliness and humanity.
The initiatives taken by Peshawar’s Sikh community are being applauded by people from all walks of life and social media users are displaying the news as an example of the beauty of Pakistan where people of different faiths live together. People are living in harmony and showing respect. one another.
Bilal Ahmad, a graduate from Peshawar who organizes Iftar dinners on behalf of Sikhs, said he shared the photos on social media with pride to show how people of different faiths can coexist in our country. living together
Ahmad Khan, a young resident of Peshawar, said, “Every Ramadan, I take time out and participate in such iftar dinners to promote respect and love in the community by serving the fasting Muslims from members of the Sikh community. A good step taken can be acknowledged.”
“This is a very good gesture from the Sikh community and promotes the spirit of interfaith harmony,” said Professor Abdul Ghafoor, a noted religious scholar, former director of the Sheikh Zahid Islamic Center, and member of the Central Right E. commented. – The Crescent Committee
He added that such practices are winning the hearts of Muslims and will surely help in achieving the goal of mutual coexistence.
