Udupi: All-religion Christmas Meet at Mukamar Church Unites People

Pics: Wilson Shirva
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Udupi, Dec 26: It was a quite a different way of celebrating Christmas at Mukamar Church here on Friday December 24 midnight, as people from all walks of life irrespective of religion gathered to celebrate the festival.

The open grounds of St Theresa's Church, Mukamar was witness to a large gathering of people of the surrounding areas joining together for Christmas celebrations. The unique programme was organised by the Mukamar parish under the leadership of its dynamic parish priest Fr Victor D'Souza.

The highlight of the celebrations three guests from three different religions were invited to share their Christmas message - Rajendra Bhat of M V Shastri high school, Inna, M P Moidinabba, president Hayathul Islam Masjid, Inna and Walter Nandalike, editor-in-chief of daijiworld.com.

Speaking on the occasion, Rajendra Bhat, elaborated on the importance of Christmas, said that the festival should not be confined to Christians alone, but even the Hindus and the Muslims should join in to show solidarity, just as Christians and Muslims should celebrate Hindu festivals, and Christians and Hindus Eid and other Muslim celebrations.

He underlined the fact that one or two incidents should not be used to tag all Muslims as terrorists, and similarly, some rare cases of conversion should not lead one to paint the entire Christian community in a negative light. He stressed on the importance of showing tolerance towards all religions.

Moidinabba too in his speech upheld the spririt of Christmas, and hailed Christians as great peace lovers who do not harm others. He conveyed his Christmas wishes to the Christian brethen.

Walter Nandalike said that Hindus, Muslims and Christians of Mukamar and surrounding places are indeed peace lovers, which is proved by the fact that there has been no history of communal misunderstanding in this region particularly. More such all-religion meets should be organised during festivals, he urged, and requested the Hindu and the Muslim leaders to hold such meets during their celebrations so that people of other religions too can emulate the example set by the Church. He hailed Fr Victor D'Souza for taking the bold step in uniting people from various religions on Christmas eve.

Earlier Fr Victor D'Souza welcomed the gathering, and introduced the guests. Ivan D'Souza compered the event. Marcel Mathias proposed the vote of thanks.

There were dance and music programmes by the youth and children of the parish that added charm to the festivities.

'Tilake Tirgaye' a comedy drama by a professional troupe from Kaup was organsed as part of the entertainment programme.

Jaya S Kotyan, member, taluk panchyat, Karkala, S R Kantha, president Inna Seva Sangha, Kusha R Moolya, Sameetha Rao, member, Inna panchayat, Shanker Ameen, vice-president, Inna panchayat, Prabhakar Inna, Inna seva sangha, Prakash Rao, headmaster, M V Shashtri Inna, Raja Vikram, manager, Syndicate Bank, Kanjarakatte, Amarnath Shetty, Santhur, Godwin Corda, president, Little Flower Mukamar, Dubai, Marcel Mathias, vice-president, parish council, Leena Lobo, secretary, parish council were also present on the dais.

The event was sponsored by St Theresa Little Flower Association, Dubai.