Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Jan 11: Mangalore Muslim Central Committee has invited Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji of Pejavar Mutt for a dialogue, with the intention of giving him more information on the Islamic tenet of not differentiating between rich and poor, superior and inferior, and people of different castes or religions. “We believe that Iftar, which involves eating together from a single utensil reinforces the principle of equality. We are prepared for a discussion on this aspect,” it said.

President of the committee, K S Mohammed Masood, said that Subrahmanya Made Made Snana controversy has nothing do with the Muslim community and that therefore, the community has not taken any interest in it. He objected to the Swamiji’s initiative of unnecessarily dragging the issue of Islamic practices while defending the above practice.

“At a programme of interaction held at Bangalore and attended by heads of several mutts, Pejavar Swamiji questioned as to whether the food consumed during Iftar parties is considered left over or not, because of the fact that it is eaten together by a number of people. None of the Muslims eat leftover food of another person, nor do they ask others to consume it. It is tragic that a practice that is based on the principle of equality among human beings is being picked to show as an example of eating leftovers,” he lamented.

He said that his community has lot of respect for the Swamiji, and felt that he has the ability guide the society. “We feel sorry for such a remark that is made without studying about harmonious coexistence. We pray God to give him good sense. We invite him to have a discussion on Iftar with an aim to enlighten him more on the principles behind the practice,” Masood added.