An exemplary instance of communal harmony was the simultaneous performance of Namaz and Gurbani path in Gurdwara 'Sahib Haa Da Naara' in the Muslim-majority town of Malerkotla. Members of the Gurudwara Management Committee, Namdhari Mission, Sanatan Dharm community, and police officials collaborated to organize a party for members of the Muslim community on the opening of the 29 Roza (fasting during the holy month of Ramadan). Special Care was taken to observe social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Harmony between two distinct cultures
Narinderpal Singh, Head Granthi of Gurdwara Sahib said, “The Gurbani path was going on in the main hall while namaz was offered in another hall of the gurudwara by our Muslim brothers. The main purpose of organizing the party was to reconfirm that we all are united.”
The members of the Muslim community who were interviewed stated that going to the historic gurdwara was not new for them because they had been coming to this particular gurdwara ever since they were born. After doing the prayer of namaz in the gurdwara, a member of the local Muslim community also shared his experience. He said, “Every time we pass this gurdwara, we bow our heads because our religion has been teaching us to respect all religions.”
A perfect example of co-existence
This was not the first time that a local gurdwara has taken steps to strengthen its ties with local Muslims; however, after the lockdown in March, the gurdwara management committee had started serving langar to a local Madrassa, where students from other states were stuck.
During the lockdown, in addition to feeding langar to students of the Madrasa, the management committee of the gurdwara also supplied langar to around one thousand other needy and disadvantaged city citizens. Manjit Singh Brar, SP Malerkotla, said, “We have defeated corona in Punjab because we have the blessings of all religions. Last night’s party was another example of brotherhood.”
It is indeed heartening that many local gurdwaras across the globe have been taking steps to strengthen their ties with Muslim communities.