By Muslim Mirror Desk,
Lucknow : Mankameshwar Temple in Lucknow, a 1000-years–old Shiva temple organised its first inter-faith Iftar party on the Shri Mankameshwar Upvan ghats for nearly 500 Muslims.
The idea was to promote peace, harmony, unity & brotherhood in the city. It was the first such instance of an Iftar party being held at one of the oldest temples. Later, Mahant of the temple told that religious heads like Priests, Mahants, & Imams should do their job & spread brotherhood & harmony. Serving people who fast from morning to evening was the noblest job to do.
Clerics from both Shia & Sunni & chief priest of Shri Mankameshwar Mandir, Mahant Devyagiri, attended the Iftar. On the invite nearly 500 Muslim women and men, including Imam of the Teeley Wali Masjid Maulana Fazlul Manna Rahmani, Maulana Sufiyan Nizami, spokesperson of Darul Uloom Farangi Mahali & Nawab Masood Abdullah, assembled in large numbers & attended the Iftar party.
After the meal, the Muslims offered evening namaz at the ‘aarti sthal’. Mahant of the temple further said that ‘it has been the Indian tradition for centuries that Hindus celebrated Muslim festivals & Muslims celebrated Hindu festivals. These months for Hindus too are auspicious when we are observing nine bada mangals. This is the time that a good deed is rewarded 70 times more than its reward. And what better way to earn reward than serve those who have fasted from dawn to dusk as obedience to God.’