By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCirlces.net,
Srinagar: With an aim to send message of brotherhood among different Muslim Sects and to pay tribute to Imam Hussain (RA), a Valley-based group distributed packets of fresh fruits among the patients in Sher-E-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) located in Soura, Srinagar for the second consecutive year on Tuesday, the ninth day of Muharram.
The initiative is taken every year by a voluntary social group ‘EHSAAS- A center for development of Social ethics, Culture and Human values’ whose idea was conceived by a group of youths and socially conscious people in Srinagar.
“The fruit distribution was aimed at sending a message of unity and brotherhood among Muslim Ummah across the state. The message of Karbala and martyrdom of Imam Hussain has a message for whole humanity and not for a particular sect,” Syed Tabassum Geelani, Chairman, Ehsaas Group, told Twocircles.net.
Fresh fruits packed in boxes were provided to all the patients in SKIMS Soura who are being treated in the hospital and in their Gynecology hospital which is also located close to SKIMS. The fruit distribution was done under the guidance and supervision of chief dietician of SKIMS in systematic and orderly manner.
Dozens of youths, both Sunni and Shia from different parts of Srinagar volunteered for taking part in the fruit distribution programme.
“Instead of going traditional way, we distributed fresh fruits among the patients in the hospitals. Because hospital is a place where people are struggling and suffering and a kind word from someone is worth millions in such situation besides it is a place where people are served without any prejudice to caste , creed, sect or religion,” said Tabassum.
For volunteer Amjad Rizvi, 33, from Lal Bazar, Srinagar the initiative of fruit distribution was an extraordinary event.
“The volunteers belonging to both Sunni and Shia sects worked shoulder to shoulder to make the fruit distribution a successful event,” Rizvi told TwoCircles.net.
Another volunteer, Nasir Shah, 45 from Sanat Nagar, said, “This is our way to pay tribute and love for Imam Hussain (RA) and it is just a little step from our side to send out a message of brotherhood and unity among the Muslim Ummah.”
The group has been organising different events to benefit poor across Kashmir. This Eid-al-Adha the group organised dozens of qurbanis and distributed meat among the people who couldn’t equally participate in the festival due to monetary constraints.