By Imran Inamdar, TwoCircles.net
Aurangabad (Maharashtra): “I stepped into the mosque for the first time. We were welcomed by the host with great love and respect. We witnessed how namaz (prayers) and other Islamic practices are carried out here,” said Renuka Kathar, a municipal corporation employee, sharing her experience of attending iftar (meal to break fast) at a mosque in the city’s Usmanpura area.
Organised by the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) at Haji Qasim Masjid, Anguri Bagh, for women of all faiths, the iftar party was aimed at introducing the larger society to mosques and removing their misconceptions.
Another participant, Nirmal Nimbhore, who works with the state police, was under the impression women are not allowed to enter the mosque. “But after this iftar party experience, I am not done away with this misconception. Having iftar with Muslim sisters together is a wonderful experience for me, and the mosque is a beautiful place,” she said.
A Hindu woman, who too had attended the event, said if the religion of others is understood, the society will be prosperous.
Harshali Kathar, a homemaker, said, “The initiative changed the mindset that women are barred from entering mosques.”
The organiser of the iftar event, Shaikh Nasir Johri, said at least 70 Hindu women attended the programme, which was a “grand success”.
He said the idea was to tell the women from different communities that the doors of mosques are open for everyone without any discrimination of gender. It was also aimed at bridging the distance between communities and encouraging harmony.
“The Jamaat-Islami Hind aims to strengthen communal harmony and develop respectful relationships among communities for a better society. And therefore, the ‘Masjid Parichay’ initiative was taken. We took the advantage of Ramadan and organised the iftar party for women of different faiths so that they can visit our mosque and clear all their misunderstandings with regard to the religious place,” said Johri.
Organisers excitedly shared that the participants liked the idea because they had many misconceptions about mosques.
“They enjoyed delicacies for the first time in a mosque. We got positive feedback from all guests, many of whom suggested that such programs should be organised every year in every city for a better society and imbibe mutual consideration and cooperation,” he added.