Lucknow: Sep 25: In an apparent attempt to send the message of peace and brotherhood in a city with a long history of sectarian clashes, members of Shia and Sunni communities, including religious leaders of both sects, offered joint “namaz” (prayer) here on the occasion of Eid al-Adha on Friday.
The joint prayer was offered at the historic Sibtainabad Imambara, which was constructed during the reign of the nawabs by the father of Wajid Ali Shah.
A large number of people from both groups as well as clerics took part in the joint prayer, which was organised by a group of young muslims, “Shoulders-to-Shoulders”.
Well known Shia cleric and All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) vice-president Maulana Kalbe Saadiq said on this occasion that a majority of people from all religions wanted peace and harmony. “Only a handful create problems”, he added.
Clerics from both communities welcomed the initiative and said that it would strengthen the bonds of love between Shias and Sunnis.
The convener of “Shoulders-to-Shoulders”, Haider, the brain behind the move, said that the group made extensive use of the social media to connect with Shia and Sunni community members.
“We had received tremendous response for our initiative...around 2,000 people had agreed to join the prayer”, he said, adding that the large presence at the joint prayer proved that they had been able to convey the message of peace and brotherhood.
Sectarian clashes were common in Lucknow where members of Shia and Sunni communities live close to each other in the walled city areas. Clashes were a regular feature during Moharram, when Shia muslims observe “matam” (mourning) to mark the martyrdom of Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, in the battle of Karbala at the hands of Yazidis.
Atif Hanif, member of the core group of “Shoulders-to-Shoulders”, told media persons that this kind of joint prayer had never been held in the city before.
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