Vijayapura: With an objective of dispelling misconceptions about the functioning of the Masjid and false notions developed among certain people about Islam, one of the mosques of the City has taken a novel initiative in this regard.
Al-Aqsa, one of the prominent mosques located in Kirti Nagar of the City has launched a programme called ‘Masjid Darshan’ where people of different faiths are invited to tell them about the functioning of the Masjid and remove any misconceptions they have.
“Of late, we have been noticing that propaganda is being spread among people against Islam and Masjids. The canards being spread is likely to create communal disturbance and could lead to division between people of different faiths, mainly Muslims and non-Muslims. The Masjid committee decided to take an initiative in a small way to dispel these false notions to maintain religious harmony in the society”, said S. M. Patil Ganihar, the Chairman of the Masjid Committee.
He said that in this regard, the first meeting of people of different faiths was organised on Sunday evening which was attended by several people, mainly leaders of the Hindu community.
The Masjid committee members explained to the attendees about the objective of the programme. The committee members gave the opportunity to the attendees to share their views on the programme.
During that time, leaders of Hindu communities shared their views.
Though the majority of them appreciated the efforts, some people felt that there is no need for a Masjid to hold such an event as the people of Bijapur are confident that no Masjid is involved in any kind of anti-social activities and only preaching religious aspects.
BJP Corporator Premanand Biradar who was one of the attendees appreciated the decision of the Masjid committee to hold such a novel programme.
He said that from his childhood he has been noticing that the people of Bijapur city, irrespective of their caste and religion are living in harmony.
“It is the legacy that people of the City have inherited from their forefathers on social and religious harmony. Though over the period of time we are noticing that that strength of harmony has got affected a bit, events such as this are needed to re-strengthening the bonding,” he said.
In his views, Somanath Kallimani said that only a section of the society associated with right-wing ideology is spreading canards about Islam and Muslims.
“Those are such people who are doing it deliberately to divide the society to spread their communal agenda. For them, any programme to spread harmony will not make an iota of difference. The majority of Indians believe that Muslims are good citizens and they have nothing to do with anti-social activities. So, Muslim need not worry about a section of people,” he said.
Another leader Dr. Ravi Biradar also shared similar views and appealed to the people of the City not to get driven by some religious fanatics whose agenda is only to create a communal divide. Other leaders such as Nagaraj Lambu, leaders of Muslim community and Masjid committee members were present.
