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  Updated: September 29, 2006

Hindus, Sikhs crossing religious barriers observe fasting

By: Nizam Hussain

INDORE, India: In a novel gesture of communal harmony, about 100 devout Hindus and a few Sikhs joined Muslims in fasting this Monday here at the popular Churiwale Karim Baba Dargah (mausoleum) in Indore.

Hundreds of people of with different religious identities, including 32 Hindu women, sat together in prayers and fasted the day-long at the Churiwale Karim Baba Dargah (mausoleum) in Indore.

Many had reasons of their own that explained why they crossed religious barriers.

"Yes, I follow the routine of fasting from dawn to dusk called 'Roza'. I have felt blessed after I started paying obeisance here. Today, my health is fine and vices are gone. I believe that if a visit to any place of different religion brings such a sea change in one's life, one should also like its ritual like Roza as a respect," said Munna Parmar, a Hindu devotee.

Varsha Shrivastava, a mother of two is grateful that her infant son is surviving only after making prayers at the mausoleum.

"Last year, I had a cyst in the neck region and the doctors said that it was in a very bad condition and required surgery. But Maulana Ausaf Baba here said it was not required, as the Prophet's blessings and prayers would help in heal. I have been coming here regularly for the last 15 years and feel that I am blessed with a stable family, home and a good life. That is why I keep this Roza fast," said Varsha Shrivastava.

For Maulvi Ausaf Baba, the caretaker of the mausoleum, religions are of no consequence, as long as one knows how to reach out truthfully to the Lord in Heaven.

"There are many forms of worship which are for all to see and talk about, like pilgrimage to the Haj, offering the Namaz (prayer), or giving in charity. But a Roza is an intimate conversation, a close communication between Allah (the Supreme Lord) and his servants (the followers). Nothing else could be stronger," said Maulana Ausaf Baba.


 
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