Mangaluru: The coastal city of Mangaluru has over the years, developed an image of being one of the communally sensitive regions owing to the various clashes that the region has witnessed.
However, a positive step towards fostering an affectionate bond between the Muslims and the non-Muslims has been taken by a group of Muslims. These are the (Beacons) of peace and they are here to extend a hand of friendship.
With 1,000 ‘boxes of joy’, a group of Muslims will be out in the open on the auspicious day of Eid to say that respecting each others religion is part of religion and humanity.
“Allah will not be happy with anyone who is against humanity”, a message written on the box, reads in Kannada. On the outset, it only looks like a mere sweet box containing a tetra pack of juice, some namkeen, a cupcake, some chocolates and dry fruits, but these boxes are here on a mission- a great mission of bridging the gaps that have developed between people in the name of religion, caste and creed.
It all began with the Sri Lankan terror attack. The Muslims in various parts of the world were facing troubles after the attack, but the community members in Mangaluru headed straight to the Milagres Church on May 5 and contributed their bit to stand for peace and show their solidarity with the grieving Christian brethren. As they distributed dates and water to Christians here, they wondered what next and how to build the widening gap?
“About a month later, that is on June 5, we will be here giving out a beautiful message to all. It is our way of telling our non-Muslim brothers and sisters that we need to stand united,” says Saif, one of the organisers.
Several teams have been formed to distribute the ‘boxes of joy’ and the plan will get going after the Eid prayers on Wednesday, May 5 morning. All the prominent streets of Mangaluru will be covered and the event will begin from the office of the city police commissioner.
The team will meet Mangaluru South MLA Vedavyas Kamath too to greet him and give him a ‘box of joy.’ The highlight is that the volunteers will also visit the Bajrang Dal office and make the first move towards friendship and mutual respect.
Saif says that he and his team, Asif Deals, Imthiyaz, Suhail Sayed, Zeeshan, Shareef Valal and Mukthar Reem Dates have called the team ” Mangalorean Muslims”, yet feel that a lot needs to be done to reach out to the people from all walks of life and make sure that is trust amongst people from various religions. He feels that not just Muslims, but also Hindus and Christians, should come out and do the same during their festivals too.
Saif, who is confident that the future holds a lot of positivity and good for all, says that this is only a small beginning.
“One day, we will distribute lakhs of boxes and touch as many lives, but this time we intend to touch 1000 lives with 1000 boxes,” he said.
Kudos to the beacons of peace!
