By IANS,
Hyderabad : A Muslim who bought a ‘laddoo’ in auction during the Ganesh festival thinking it would bring him good fortune was ex-communicated. But he returned to the fold after the recitation of ‘kalma’.
Carpenter Mohammed Yousuf took part in the auction in Boorabanda neighborhood. He was the highest bidder, and got the holy sweetmeat for Rs.12,000.
The auction was conducted Sep 14 by a Ganesh Utsav Samiti to mobilise funds for the festival. Impressed by his contribution, the Samiti felicitated him last week.
As word spread, some local Muslim leaders told him that by taking part in the auction, he had committed ‘shirk’ or a big sin and that he would have to recite ‘tajdeed-e-Iman’ or ‘kalma’ to again become a Muslim.
Yousuf recited ‘kalma’ in the presence of few people and returned to Muslim fold.
“The issue was dealt with by a few local leaders who are associated with a political party,” said Syed Khalid, a resident of Borabanda. He denied that the man was asked to move out of the locality.
He pointed out that several Muslims from coastal Andhra who reside in the area participate in Ganesh and other Hindu festivals.
It is also not the first instance of a Muslim taking part in a Ganesh ‘laddoo’ auction. A few years ago, a Muslim businessman bought the famous Balapur Ganesh ‘laddoo’ here for over Rs.200,000.
Auction of ‘laddoo’ has become common in several localities here. The biggest auction takes place in Balapur neighborhood.