By Zaidul Haque, TwoCircles.net,
Kolkata: “Allah give us peace and relief, not only in our state, but throughout the world”, prayed the Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee in a grand Iftar meet `Dawat-E-Iftar’ at Park Circus Maidan, Kolkata on 14 July, 2013.
Dawat-e- Iftar was organized by Trinamul Congress lead Kolkata Municipal Corporation and called by Shovan Chatterjee, Mayor of Kolkata Municipal Corporation, as previous year and was opened for all the devotees muslim.
Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee at Dawat-E-Iftar.
Before the Iftar, Chief Guest Mamata Banerjee gave a special lecture on Ramdan to the people. She said, “The one month long fasting of Muslims teach us sacrifice and condonation of Ramadan, which will enlighten our life. Allah’s blessing will brighten our life and all the trouble will be removed.’
She further said, “I always pray to God to have mercy on all the Muslims in the world so that they can live peacefully.” She added that the Holy Ramadan is a very important month not only for Muslim, but also others, to remember the nobilty of Ramadan and follow it.
In the wake of the ongoing Panchayat elections, she appealed for peace as some Muslims too died in political clashes.
Hoarding of Dawat-E-Iftar at Park Circus 4 No Bridge area.
KMC had put out hoardings and posters in Muslim dominated localities for this grand Iftar party. Big hoardings could be seen in Park Circus, Rajabazar, Retiaburuz, Gardenrich, Khidderpur, and Topsia areas.
Besdies common Muslims, several Muslim as well as non-Muslim leaders also participated in the Iftar party. Mayor of Kolkata Municipal Corporation Shovan Chatterjee, Chairman of Urdu Academy Manal Shah Al Qadri, Grand Imam of Tipu Sultan Mosque Nurur Rahman Barkati, State Urban development Minister Firhad Hakim, Fire protection Minister Jawed Ahmed Khan, Member of Parliament Sultan Ahmed, Nadimul Haque, State Chairman of Minority Commission Intaj Ali Shah, Former principal of Calcutta Aliah Madrasa College Dr Md Shahidullah, State Secretary of All India Milli Council Sahood Alam, Secretary of Amanat Foundation Md Shah Alam, Chief Secretary of the State Sanjoy Mitra, Deputy Mayor of Kolkata Municipal Corporation Frazana Alam, Commissioner of KMC Khalil Ahmed, Callcutta Police commissioner Surajit Pukayastha, TMC MP Derek O’Brien among others were also present in this Iftar Party.