Media Release
Bangalore, Aug 3: Archbishop Bernard Moras, Archbishop of Bangalore and Christian leaders from all denominations organized Eid celebration on Saturday August 2 evening for the Muslim brethren.
The programme was attended by politicians, Muslim religious leaders and representatives of various Christian denominations. The chief minister who along with health minister came late spent time with Archbishop for some time.
Veerappa Moily, MP, speaking on the occasion lauded the efforts of the Archbishop in organizing such a meaningful programme.
He said, "All are one in many ways. Unfortunately, some differences crept in over the years and peace for the world is the need of the time. As Ramzan reminds the ‘burning’ of desires, the season should also restrain greed and cupidity. Celebration such as the Eid Mubarak is an opportunity to bring congenial atmosphere to achieve the goal."
Roshan Baig, state minister, who was full of praise for the Archbishop said, "We are the products of Christian institutions. Most of us are from the Christian establishments. Those days we had never heard of any other hospitals other than the hospitals run by Christians except may be some government ones. The services rendered by Christians are great and commendable including services of K J George, home minister."
Home minister for the state, K J George, speaking on the occasion underscored the need for discipline among all the communities. He also felt that education should reach all including the members of Muslim community.
He stressed the need for all to live in peace and harmony for the progress and betterment of the society and the state as a whole.
"People in the world are now in changing times; it is not only political expediency that is drawing everyone to a change of attitudes but a religious requirement: our religions teach us that we cannot be true to our religions without accepting others as our brothers and sisters," said Archbishop Bernard Moras while welcoming Muslim and Christian leaders from different denominations at the celebration of Ramzan Eid.
Archbishop who took the initiative to celebrate Eid Milan Christian-Muslim get-together for the second year on Saturday said, "In 2001 Pope John Paul II visited the mosque in Damascus and prayed there. It was the first time in history that a Pope entered a mosque. And in his prayers there he said: 'May the hearts of Christians and Muslims turn to one another with feelings of brotherhood and friendship, so that the Almighty may bless us with the peace which heaven alone can give……'."
"In 2006, the next Pope Benedict XVI visited and prayed in the Blue mosque in Istambul in Turkey and in 2009 he visited the King Hussein Mosque in Amman in Jordan. Muslim leaders have visited the Pope in a spirit of love and peace. Every year at the end of the month of Ramadaan, the Pope’s Council for Interreligious Dialogue sends a message of greetings to our Muslim brethren the world over on behalf of the Church. This year too they had sent a message with title “Towards a genuine fraternity between Christians and Muslims,” he added.
The Archbishop concluded his speech quoting the words of St Francis of Assisi, “God, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred let me bring your love, where there is injury your pardon Lord and where there’s doubt true faith in you. O Master, grant that I may never seek so much to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love with all my soul."
Maulana Shabeer Ahmed who was the main speaker on behalf of the Muslims said, "The word ‘Ramazan’ is derived from three Arabic words meaning ‘to burn’ which explains the burning of sins and one’s passions and indiscipline. The evil forces in a person could be subdued by fasting which enables one to reach the root of Allah and his ruling which is most wise and significant. Fasting brings discipline and self-control; our minds may not deviate and digress."
Maulana said that when a person was full, his desires (to do evil) also grew.
"Fasting regulates one’s life and subdues inclinations and proclivities. Ramazan fasting makes one think about others, to do acts charity and generates compassion towards the less privileged. It weakens the effects of sin, reduces and narrows down exposure to the path of Satan and passage of devil and his ways. A controlled person’s hearts are motivated to do good for fellow beings," he added.
Fr Sunny from the Believers’ Church called upon all to offer fidelity to the one God who rules over all.
Fr Bijoy Sakhariah, Malankara Orthodox Church, representing Dr Abraham Mar Seraphim, Metropolitan Bangalore diocese said, "One of the pillars of Islam is Sakath – help others and do alms-giving, rather than stopping at fasting."
Fr Bijoy, Director of Andhra Mission and Vicar of a church in Vijayawada and Manager at Bishop’s House, Doddagubi said that the Muslims believed that fasting was incomplete without helping the needy. Quoting Maulabi he said, "Ramzan is to burn and when we burn, we give light to others. During Ramzan sins are burned away and people are enlightened to radiate and emit light to those around."
Sameer Passah said, "We are away from the teaching of the religions. If one is a Muslim, it is better to be good Muslim, a Hindu a good Hindu and if a Christian, to be a good Christian. Teaching of Islam has no place for violence and terrorism. Islam means to achieve peace."
Mary Akkamma John of Marthomma Church said, "People call upon God in distress but all should do the same in happiness as well."
Shanthakar from the Methodist Church while greeting all Muslim brothers and sisters urged everyone to work more for the society and for its progress.
Seema Hussein in a brief speech pointed out that beauty lied in diversity. "Diversity in cultures, languages and religious practices could mingle for a noble cause and this should be kept up," she added.
Fr Ronnie Prabhu who was the force behind this year’s Eid Mubarak celebrations proposed the vote of thanks. He referred to commends made by the speakers particularly the remarks of Roshan Baig who hinted at the areas of education and hospital services rendered by Christians. Fr Ronnie also complimented the good gesture of the government towards the minorities.
Archbishop made a proposal to take up a common project both by Muslims and Christians together and asked Fr Ronnie Prabhu to get it underway within three months.
Bhaskar Chandran compered the programme. Kiritappa, Pericho Prabhu, Ivan Nigli and Susainathan were among others who contributed towards organizing the well-arranged celebration.