Udupi: Setting an example for religious co-existence in the society, the Udupi Sri Krishna mutt hosted an iftar party for Muslim brethren observing the Ramzan fast for the first time in its long history on Saturday, June 24.
Nearly 150-200 Muslims participated in ‘Souharda Upahara Koota’ (harmony breakfast meet) organized at the Annabrahma Dining Hall in the temple complex. They were served banana, watermelon, apple, dates and cashewnut along with ‘kashaya’ made of black pepper.
The event was mooted by Paryaya Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji and he was himself seen serving dates to the gathering.
Extending his greetings on the eve of Id, the seer said that our state, especially the coastal region should be known for its peaceful co-existence and we as children of the same creator should live together in harmony.
He thanked the Muslims in Mangaluru, Kasaragod and Bhatkal for their affection towards him and for the offerings made during the Paryaya festival.
Thirty years ago, during his third Paryaya, he had organised a Hindu–Muslim Sammelan during the Id festival at Rajangana Hall here, the seer recalled.
Later, after breaking the fast, the Muslims offered namaz on the second floor of the dinning hall building under the guidance of Maulana Innayatullah, Imam of Anjuman Masjid.
Earlier, Rahim Uchila, vice-president of the State unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party Minority Morcha, said this was a momentous occasion.
M.A. Gafoor, chairman of the Karnataka Minorities Development Corporation, said the message of peace and harmony, which began here, should spread throughout the world.
