By Mumtaz Alam, Muslim Mirror,
New Delhi, July 3: One welcome outcome of the devastating floods in Uttarakhand is the boost to communal harmony and stronger ties between Hindus and Muslims. Soon after the news came about the natural calamity killing thousands and rendering lakhs homeless in the hilly state of Uttarakhand, Muslim organizations from across the country announced relief amount and even sent their teams of workers to help authorities in rescue and relief operations.
Despite the fact that victims were Hindu tourists and pilgrims visiting temples in Kedarnath and other places in Uttarakhand, Muslim organizations admirably kept religious barrier aside and rushed to help the victims. Among the first to extend helping hands were leaders of a Muslim political party who are branded as hate speakers against Hindu. Support also came from a socio-religious organization which is branded as fundamentalist.
All India Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen of Asaduddin Owaisi and Akbaruddin sent a relief worth Rs 80 lakh. The Hyderabad based party also sent a team of doctors to attend the injured victims. Jamaat-e-Islami Hind immediately rushed three relief teams to Dehradun and other places. The organization also set up a medial camp at Haridwar railway station to attend the wounded Hindu pilgrims. Both factions of Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind (one led by Arshad Madani and other by Mahmood Madani) sent relief and workers to the state. All India Muslim Majlise Mushawarat sent a check of Rs one lakh to Prime Minister’s relief fund. Popular Front of India leaders met Uttarakhand chief minister and handed over a check of Rs 10 lakh for victims. The Aligarh Muslim University also sent a team of doctors from its medical college to attend the victims. Many small Muslim groups also came up to help the victims.
Though the weight of the relief materials from Muslim organizations was very low compared to the size of the devastations and number of the victims, the gesture to come up and help the victims of other community was more valuable and it must be appreciated.