‘Message of Communal Harmony’: Muslims Join Christmas Celebrations in Kashmir
As Christmas is being celebrated across the world on December 25, a group of Muslims visited the Holy Family Catholic Church in Srinagar city on Sunday to celebrate the festival with their Christian community to give a message of communal harmony and brotherhood.
They distributed sweets, exchanged greetings with the Christian brethren and also wore Santa hats to share joy and celebrate the festival.
Talking to reporters here, Maulana Abdullah, who was leading the groups, said they came to the Church to celebrate the festival with their Christian brethren and to spread the message of communal harmony, brotherhood and peace.
“This is small community here and they feel isolated on such festive occasions, so took this opportunity and came here to celebrate this festival with them with the aim that they don’t isolated and also give a message of communal harmony and brotherhood,” he said.
He said some vested interests have been spreading fake narratives across the globe that minorities were not safe here, which is not true.
“We came here today to bust that narrative and wanted to show the world that we are one and we belong to one god as well, regardless of our religions,” he added.
Safiya, a resident of the city, said she visited a church for the first time.
“I feel good because people from every community are here and are celebrating with each other, which is very good and rare as well,” she said.
Meanwhile, Father Brito said Christmas is a message of love, joy and happiness.
“Our Muslim brothers have always stood by us on these occasions and Christmas is an occasion which gives us an opportunity to share that joy, happiness and brotherhood with each other,” he added.
Among the believers were tourists from different parts of the country who joined the locals on the auspicious day.
Similar prayers were held at other churches, including Saint Joseph’s Church in north Kashmir’s Baramulla, the oldest Catholic Church in Jammu and Kashmir, and at a church in tourist resort Gulmarg.
Source: agencies
