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Date: Fri, 13 Sep 2002 08:11:48 EDT Subject: Indian Values
Celebrations like these amply highlight to the outside world about the traditional Indian values that all the religions have the same goal, namely to achieve God, and the path to get there is through peace and harmony. Murali Swaminathan
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 12:10:18 -0500 Subject: The Essence of India
These are the kind of gestures that can vividly highlight the real essence of India. I am not surprised at local's low key response to such a unique attempt. I think Rediff should make all attempts to give all the publicity such news deserves. Coming from a place (Bijapur in Karnataka) where hindu and muslims have co-existed peacefully for decades, I know the difference such celebrations make in weaving the relationship together, between the two. It also reminds me of the occasions where hindus used to take active part in muslim celebrations like moharum and urs of muslim saints. I would appreciate if can forward me the contact details of 'Jawan Matshya Byabasai Sangha Puja committee' . Prakash Sangam
Date: Sun, 15 Sep 2002 10:23:20 -0400 Subject: God is One
Excited to see this item. In many parts of India hindus visit mosque & the churches.e.g.Hindus while going to Sabarimala in Kerala visit Vavar's place (vavar is a Muslim friend of Lod Ayyappa).Many hindus often visit churches also. God is one.The poojas celebrated by muslims in Bhuvaneshar should be brought to everyone's notice. Uma
Date: Sat, 14 Sep 2002 22:15:16 -0400 Subject: Truly Secular
True attempt to achieve harmony. Truly secular. Malati Khisti
Date: Fri, 13 Sep 2002 10:31:49 -0600 Subject: God's Work
Keep up the true work of the God, for: Allah, Ishvara tere nam san ko . Munna Prasad
Date: Fri, 13 Sep 2002 12:24:07 -0000 Subject: An Example
This culture is excellent ! No other example is better than this to show communal harmony in our country and we can set this as an example to the rest of the world. Sheshagiri Rao
Date: Fri, 13 Sep 2002 16:02:48 +0800 Subject: Congratulations
Please congratulate the Muslim- Ganesh Puja organisers in Bhubaneshwar for sending the message of coexistence across the world From childhood we have been participating in Id, Christmas, Baisakhi (Sikh festival) and all other religious functions. In India people need to pickup strings and live in peace and prosperity. SK Gupta
Date: Fri, 13 Sep 2002 00:03:24 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Bless Them All
Good to hear and read such messages. Though their forefathers might have been Hindus some hundred years ago even after conversion these Muslims want to perform Hindu rituals, should be welcomed. May Lord Ganesh bless them with all properties. Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu. G K Sivramkrishnan
Date: Fri, 13 Sep 2002 01:21:33 -0500 Subject: Learn!
What a tremendous story! How was this possible ? The world needs to learn from this. Ernest
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 22:15:32 -0700 Subject: Compliments
My compliments to you Muslim brothers and sisters for organizing lord ganesh puja. Jay Upadhyaya
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 22:00:38 -0700 Subject: One for Unity
This is just great excellent example unity and brotherhood in India Anand
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 21:41:22 -0700 Subject: Keep it Up!
Just fantastic! This is the sort of practice required by both hindus and muslims and in fact all faiths to sort out the racial differences and help promote harmony in humanity. Keep it up! Ravi
Date: Fri, 13 Sep 2002 09:50:10 +100 Subject: Not Losing Religion
I am very happy to know that the Indian Muslims are performing the Ganesha-puja. The way they are doing this shows, they are able to identify themselves with the Indian culture without losing their own religion. This is great. Please convey my regards to Mr. Mustafa and others who are participating in the great event. I thank you for putting this Information in your newspaper. Kabita Rump
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 20:49:11 -0700 Subject: Truly Enlightened
I was very pleased to see this report. If the facts are true & their intent is honest -then these people are truly enlightened. They seem to recognise that we are all children of the same God, though we call Him by many names. My respect for their religion increased several fold. Ashok Kumar
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 23:42:10 -0400 Subject: Unity in Diversity
Just another example of unity in diversity.I sincerely congratulate the organizers for the efforts to bring the muslim communinty to mainstream. Hari More
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 20:41:10 -0700 Subject: Eye Opening News
I am a Hindu from Orissa state settled in US. I was shocked after going through this article. Though I have been staying in Orissa for about 13 years I had never got this news and I doubt if majority people in Orissa really know this. This is a great news to know while looking at the incidents in all over India because of communal riots and other issues. Our politicians in India should learn a lesson from this. They should be ashmed of themselves who generally don't bother to abet this kind of incidents and rather harbour those cowards. Anyway hats off to Rediff which brought such an eye opening news. Keep it up Rediff. A long way to go. Good luck. Sudheer
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 23:26:02 EDT Subject: Applause!
I applaud them. we are hindu and when we lived in villages, we celebrated Id by welcoming muslim members of community as they were returning from their prayers at the mosque. Subhash
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 20:14:56 -0700 Subject: Our Strength
This kind of news create a consensus among people about unity among different religions. and show the whole world strong unity in diversity in India Dhruba
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 22:16:47 -0400 Subject: All Rise
This is exciting news. I wish more of such activities happen in India. We need to rise above religious differnces between us Indians. Great News. Good work. Rajesh Mohan
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 19:07:35 -0700 Subject: Think Differently
It feels good to get news like this. Its nice to have people who think differently. Himansu
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 17:46:42 -0700 Subject: Good Symbol
Its Very Good and symbol of Tolarance and Harmony..I am sure Lord Ganesh blessings will bring Prosperity to them and to everybody. Anant H Iyer
Date: Fri, 13 Sep 2002 12:37:14 +1200 Subject: True Indians
This is the kind of religious unity and tolerance is needed in India. These people are true Indians!! Vijay Nyayapati
Date: Fri, 13 Sep 2002 01:18:54 +0100 (BST) Subject: A Question of Identity
My heart goes out to reach these Muslim brothers who for a decade are celebrating Ganesh Chadhurti in Bhubaneshwar in the real spirit of Indian oneness. We do celebrate, though in a limited way, the festivals of Hindus, Muslims, Christians and Sikhs over here in Texas in conformity of universal humanity. It is not by religion or nationality that we are to be identified, but as citizens of this universe as truly exhibited by these Muslim countrymen! Hats off to them, whom I greatly respect. Vijyamoor S Vijaya Raghavan
Date: Fri, 13 Sep 2002 00:44:08 +0100 (BST) Subject: Spread the Word
This report is excellent and deserves wider publicity. YT Oke
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 19:08:40 EDT Subject: Humans First
It is this type of news every news paper should print and encourage others to follow. Please print in big bold letters if any hindu chants khoran or a muslim recites a manthra. My full support to these people who behave as humans not as muslims or hindus Raghu I.Reddy
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 15:14:25 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Some Hope
An excellent Report. Media should promote such positive events to not only encourage those who do such exemplary work but to also let rest of the passive and negative thinking people some idea, some hope. Hindu's should also similarly participate and do Muslim festivities. Navin Tyagi
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 14:43:38 -0700 Subject: It's the Same Religion
These are the kinds of reports that should be broadcast worldwide and all the Indian Consulates/Embassies abroad should promote such stories. These add to the indisputed fact that India is a truly "Secular Country" in every way. By the way, I remember while growing up in my village in South India, we used to go to the local Mosque to celebrate Ramzan. Religion is nothing more than a societal instrument to enforce discipline among its members. We all belong to the same religion -'humanity". Raj L Iyengar
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 16:00:37 -0500 Subject: I Remember
I was delighted to read the news. I remember my days when I was first to grab the big bowl of Prasad during holi festival to distribute among everyone who came to offer prayer at Holika. I also remember one of my friend offering Roza(fast) during Ramzan along with me !!! It just conveys the message to everyone....in all religion that you cannot make LoC in the heart of people who want to live peacefully and in harmony. Religion never teaches us hatred...terrorism...enemity. Saeed Pathan
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 21:43:14 +0100 (BST) Subject: My Wish
The article was very very nice. Though being a hindu,i can truly appreciate their efforts and their devotion. in this day and age of communal violence and hatred ,its nice to know people who respect religion and are not fanatics. i only wish a lot of people would be aware of it and and learn about religious tolerance. Sandhya
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 14:40:27 -0500 Subject: Neighbourly Love
It is a wonderful that Muslim community is participating in Hindu rituals. I wish and pray to the Almighty that Hindu community reciprocates the same way in participating in Muslim rituals. After all we are all Indians first and must contribute every thing towards keeping peace and happiness in the country. I also wish, if you could distribute this article to all the countries especially into Pakistan and Bangladesh. I am sure there are various other instances and occurrences similar in nature taking place in India, which should be made aware to the general public in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh to enhance harmony and peace between south Asian brothers and sisters. Suresh Sethi
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 12:13:01 -0700 Subject: It's My Country
This is what I love about my country! Nowhere else will you find two religions being so close to each other inspite of the differences. The Bhuvaneshwar version of Islam must be like a thorn in the eyes of those who practice the Saudi's and Pakii's and Osama's version of Islam. This is exactly what we need to take our nation forward, inspite of the cultural and religious and tons of other differences. On the other hand, I know a lot of Hindus (including myself) who have no problem at all in visiting mosques and participating in celebrations of Id. My cousin even keeps fast during 'roza'. I truly hope this kind of Islams spreads its roots all over the world. With a Muslim President who has no problem in openly admitting that he reads Bhagwad-Geeta, I think, India is the only nation in the world which truly has right to tell the world, what a religion really means, and how one should practice it. Ashish Jadhav
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 15:03:31 -0400 Subject: Only Seemingly Different
This is exemplary and illustrates how these two seemingly different religions should exist in harmony Sri Sridaran
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 11:51:28 -0700 Subject: Fatwa Time
It is matter of time before there will be fatwas issued against these broadminded muslims. Islam does not tolerate any such appreciation of other religion or other customs. However, I do salute these broadminded muslims. Wish we had more of them in the world. Suresh
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 11:50:26 -0700 (PDT) Subject: An Inspiration
It was a very nice article which is an inspiration for our NAtion as well as the world in order to keep up the integrity and unity among the humans.We would like to contribute in whatever way we can to keep up and enhance this communal unity. Wishing this to continue for years and years to come. Deepthi, Preethi.
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 11:37:09 -0700 Subject: Take a Bow
Its really great. This is the symbol of Indian Secularism. I appreciate the people who are organising this. Ravi
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 12:33:18 -0600 Subject: Bridging the Gap
This is a very great news to hear that some Muslim brothers are trying to bridge the gap between hindus and muslims and restore faith between each other. if this mail would reach them, this is one another indian who appreciates it and supports it. thanks for bringing the news to public. Krishnan
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 12:55:52 -0500 Subject: Hope and Happiness
I was filled with hope and happiness when reading this story. Thank you for filling the news with positive stories, in addition to the pretty depressing news. Aditi Samarth
Date: Fri, 13 Sep 2002 03:50:15 +1000 Subject: Open Your Eyes
This is one of the best things that could happen in India or for that matter anywhere in the world. Such combined efforts should be encouraged at any cost. Hope the whole world will open their eyes and welcome such gatherings. Radhakrishnan
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 23:05:30 +0530 Subject: Great Gesture
Its great to hear that people are really trying to understands one another faith and I hope if people all over the world just appreciate this with open heart and share there feelings. I am sure if this starts happening, there wont be any fight based on one's religion and creed. I would like to appreciate the people of this community and would like to welcome such a great gesture from them. My all wishes are with them. Pranav Kumar Sinha
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 13:34:45 -0400 Subject: This is the Way
I am a Hindu but I am proud of my Muslim brothers. This is the way we should live in all over India. Chandra Prakash
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 12:33:11 -0500 Subject: Double Benefits
It enhances the understanding of both religions and improves the tolerance of other faiths. Rao Mandava
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 09:40:31 -0700 Subject: Play it Up
This article, I believe should have been published on rediff.com with font 72 and bold. This IS the kind of attitude we all Indians need to cultivate to "Love our own religion but respect others at the same time". This is required for all... Hindu Muslims Sikh Christians. I truly respect and salute the people involved in this gesture of brotherhood. Also in creating this kind of atmosphere in the country, the biggest role needs to be played by Media. Their contribution in installing the feelings of peace harmony and patriotism in the heart of people can totally change the face of the country. And I appeal to rediff.com to take up the proactive stance in doing so. Vinayak
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 21:05:37 +0530 Subject: Encourage it
This is excellent and healthy tradition. This should be encouraged. Suman
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 15:07:56 -0500 Subject: Don't be Naïve
It is great to see at least some Muslims believing that all religions are equal, just like every Hindu does. Unfortunately these are isolated cases and the rest of the majority only believes that those involved in Idoltry as infidels. Such Muslims not only cannot become leaders of their community, they are not even accepted as true Muslims by their own brothers (Remember, Dr. Kalam is also not considered a true Muslim since he reads Gita). Even with such examples it is extremely difficult (if not naive) to be positive about Muslims and restoration of peace wherever they live. Aniruddha Garud
Earlier Mail
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