In our nation which has been a secular country, only in the books but rarely in practice and rarer now a days. However, the faith in the amiability of the religions has been restored with a great display of brotherhood by a comminity of Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims.

Muslims in Joshimath, Uttarakhand had offered their Eid prayers not in the usual Gandhi Maidan, a public ground, but in a Gurdwara after the head priest had invited them to use the main hall in their holy temple. Josshimath, a holy town atop the Alakhananda in the Garwhal Himalayas has no mosque, or Idgah.

However, the torrential rains had turned the Gandhi Maidan mucky rendering it unfit for just standing for a while, let alone namaz. The Muslim community was embraced by the heart warming invitation to the Gurdwara by the head priest to offer prayers at their hall.

Donning bright colorful clothes the Muslim brothers turned up at the Gurdwara after the invitation at 9:30 am. After the ceremonial prayers each of them had embraced the Sikh fraternity who had been waiting patiently outside the hall. A few Hindus too turned up at the hall and exchanged warm greetings.

Sardar Buta Singh, Prabandhak of the gurdwara, talking to the media said that he had extended the invitation for further times of crisis too.

Maulvi Asif said that the gurdwara committee had restored faith in the religions after their help which only inculcated respect towards them.

(AW- Anil)