Sadhu to host 'Roza Iftar' in AyodhyaSpirituality

A sadhu in Ayodhya has decided to host a 'Roza Iftar' party for the local Muslims for paving the path for communal harmony in the otherwise communally sensitive ancient Hindu temple town.

Both Hindus and Muslims will join in the Iftar in large numbers to prove Ayodhya's local residents believe in communal harmony, the sadhu said, pointedly adding, "It is only the outsiders who create trouble in this town of peace-loving people."

This is after a gap of four years that a Hindu priest is hosting an Iftar party at Ayodhya. Head priest, Mohant Gyan Das of Hanuman Garhi, Ayodhya's oldest temple, had for the first time organized an 'Iftar' party in 1983.

Now another well-known Sadhu, Mahant Jugal Kishore Saran Shastri, has issued invitations for a grand 'Iftar' on October 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Well-known Muslim religious leader and internationally known Shia cleric, Maulana Kalbe Sadiq, has been invited as the chief guest.

Prominent among others who have agreed to attend the 'Iftar' are Christian priest Anand John, Sikh leader Gurcharan Jeet Singh, Magsaysay award winner and convenor of National Alliance for People's Movement Sandeep Pandey.

"All prominent Muslim leaders of Ayodhya-Faizabad region and mahants and priests of all the temples in Ayodhya will join the 'Iftar' to build a new harmonious atmosphere in this ancient town of Ram, who believed, practiced and promoted peace, truth and harmony among people," Mahant Shastri told IANS over telephone from Ayodhya.

When asked if his initiative would be welcomed by local sadhus, Mahant Sharstri said, "I am confident that majority of the sadhus at Ayodhya - except those directly associated with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) - would participate in the event."

Earlier, in 2003 Mahant Gyan Das's similar effort to host an Iftar was rejected by some sadhus here.

Mahant Shastri said, "The common people of Ayodhya have already responded positively to it and they too will join the occasion in a big way."

He went on to add, "Both Hindus and Muslims will participate in large numbers to prove that the local residents of Ayodhya believe in communal harmony."

"It is only the outsiders who create trouble in this town of peace-loving people."