PESHAWAR: The Sikh local community has restarted planning Iftar evening meal for Muslims to increase interfaith harmony in the town at areas where there is attentiveness of weak daily wagers, homeless persons and widows. The organizers of the party said to this scribe that members of Hindu and Christian communities also contributed to the cause of interfaith harmony while younger Muslim volunteers were section of the Iftar organization.
In an effort to promote religious harmony and common respect, subscribers of Sikh community encouraged a group of younger volunteers to host Iftar evening meal at several areas of the town for the Muslims and also make preparations at orphanages and hospitals around the city for weak people and laborers. The Sikh local community the other day in collaboration with nearby charity group arranged an Iftar dinner at Fawara Chowk, Peshawar Saddar in which rice, milk, fruits, and cold drinks were offered to the fast keepers.
Jatinder Singh, a political and social activist, declared that his community had been doing that noble job for the final several years to increase interfaith harmony as minorities had been living with Muslims for centuries and had been enjoying a good relationship. “This time around we have made various arrangement and we are going to approach every deserving family with a Ramazan package and want to make it sure that the weak people receive our contribution at their doorsteps as most of them including widows could not walk up to our Iftar points.
Home delivery makes it simpler for such families to enjoy Iftar with us,” declared Mr. Singh. Balbeer Singh, a resident of Mohalla Jogan Shah Dabgari in Peshawar city, declared that hosting Iftar dinner for Muslims had been a good spiritual experience as it helped to enhance the spirit of mutual respect among religious groups. Riaz Khan, a resident of Charsadda, declared that he drove a rickshaw and could not achieve his hometown for Iftar. He declared that he a majority of the 2nd day stayed in Peshawar for enjoying no cost Iftar dinner with the Sikh local community. He declared as him, many other daily wagers broke fast on the Dastarkhwan of Sikh brethren in Peshawar.
Radish Singh Tony, one more member of Sikh community, declared that keeping such parties not only promoted interfaith harmony but also gave a message to the world that Pakistanis stood united and that minorities enjoyed better freedom there than in any other nation. He declared it was not only the 30 days of Ramazan but throughout the year minority organizations had been participating in various festivals and religious celebrations.
Mr. Radaish Singh declared that beef and other edibles were being purchased and cooked by younger Muslim volunteers for the Iftar dinner. Balbeer Singh, also a religious scholar, declared that for the rest of the Ramazan, Iftar dinner would be hosted in Saddar Bazaar opposite to Wadood sons while Ramazan packages would also be released on Thursday ( today ) which would continue till the end of the holy month.
Christians also host Iftar Dastarkhwan. To promote interfaith harmony among different communities, the Christians in collaboration with district management organized an Iftar Dastarkhwan for Muslims in front of All Saints’ Church, Kohati Gate on Wednesday. A statement granted here declared that the volunteers of Christian Students Fellowship ( CSF ) and young of various churches of Peshawar participated in serving Iftar to the weak and needy brethren. It declared that the gesture would not only help in bridging the gap between the 2 communities and bringing harmony but would also promote tolerance. The location of the Iftar dinner keeps a sentimental value to the Christians of Peshawar as it is the similar spot where dual blasts took place back in 2013, claiming the lives of scores of worshippers.
