Festive Season – Diwali and Eid-ul-Fitr - Symbol of Oneness

by Prof Urban J A D'Souza, Malaysia / Udyavara

Pics Dayanand Kukkaje and Rajtilak Naik

("There is 'RAM' in RAMadan and there is 'ALI' in DiwALI" - this message may not be new since it has been in circulation through e.mails, SMSs and other means for quite some time. Yet, when these two occasions are coinciding this year, esp. in the wake of some unfortunate incidents in Mangalore and around, this message is all the more relevant. Dr Urban D'Souza's write-up here echoes the same sentiment. -    Editor-in-chief)  

October 22, 2006

What a great moment for all of us, especially Indians, when our Deepavali or Diwali and Eid-ul-Fitr feasts are celebrated almost simultaneously this year. It is a great moment of celebration of our brotherhood and unity, as  humanity by itself is a major single community.

'Deepa', the lamp or light, is a great message of love to all of us. Love is the great light which dispels the darkness of animosity. Candle light is the best message or symbol of love. A candle burns or melts itself to light us. So is the case of our love, which we must empty ourselves of to love our fellow brethren.

Deepavali festival day is also the day on which 'Narakasura' or the demon was killed. This killing of Narakasura should signify the message of killing the demon within us. To love our enemy, the Narakasura or the demon within us must die.

On this occasion of Naraka Chaturdashi, may the demon within us be killed, thus making way for our loving each other under one community of human beings. As we celebrate this festival of light by cracking firecrackers and lighting lights, may the sound and light chase away the darkness of jealousy, caste and creed. Let all of us, as human beings, celebrate the great festivity by sharing with and caring for every individual.

Ramadan, the month preceding Eid-ul-Fitr, is a phase of sacrifice and sharing. Our Muslim brethren fast for a month, while also helping the poor and less fortunate in a great spirit of brotherhood. Eid-ul-Fitr which I understand is the celebration following the fast. Ramadan is a month of mercy, compassion and generosity with care for all the people, every one of whom is God's creation. Allah, name of the Almighty God, bless all of us to contribute towards creating a just and compassionate society by caring, tolerating  and sharing with our brethren,  without discrimination of caste and creed.

We, Hindu, Muslim, Christians, Sikh or any other community, all are human beings in the first place. Just for the sake of having taken birth in a certain community, we should not separate or brand that one thing is greater than the other or 'I am greater than the other'. We should respect and love the community of 'human beings' for which we need only a feeling of humanity. Human compassion and tolerance only can make us a united secular community.

All the communities teach us to respect and value other individuals. Let us try to see God's face in every individual's face. Iraq is burning, Sri Lanka, India – Pakistan are fighting, a city like Mangalore is tottering. In the history of Mangalore, there never was  5 to 6 days' bundh and imposition of curfew. Who suffered? Only the common citizen including Hindu, Muslim and Christian. In summary, the common citizen under the class ' human being' suffered.

In major or minor fights or wars, who suffers? It is only a common citizen dies or suffers. Even at international level, for example, Iraq problems, neither US diplomats nor Iraqi diplomats died but the common citizen cadre, soldiers and common civilians got killed and still keep dying. Political heroes live safely until their natural death.

So why fight? Why have a hatred feeling towards our brother/sister? It is really sad to know that so called educated city of Mangalore also initiates communal fights. When a baby cries, how many of us feel bad? I rather cry myself even when a baby cries in a movie or TV serial action. Let us consider all these babies are God's creations or all human beings are human creations who should love each other. I do respect great gods / prophets such as Sri Rama, Prophet Muhammad. Jesus Christ, Guru Nanak and others who all taught us love, peace and unity.

Let us kill the demon such as jealousy, hatred, animosity and superiority within us. Let us care for and love each other by lighting the lamp of humanity during this Deepavali and breaking the fast by sharing and caring each other during Ramadan and welcome Christmas by emptying ourselves as Jesus emptied himself and selected a manger or hut to take birth.

Hindus, Muslims, Christians -  we are all one and should celebrate together Deepavali, Ramadan and Christmas in the true spirit of 'Human-being' with Humanity.

Diwali - as Seen from a Social Angle
by Abrar Khan Mangalore
Oct 19: Diwali, as a festival and as a concept has stretched its arms far and wide. It is not just about 'poojas' and 'diyas' (lamps) but so much more… Diwali brings with it a lot of shopping, rise in sensex and stock markets, makes waves in the media world – one finds special Diwali programmes, request shows, RJs rocking on the radio with Diwali as a reason to celebrate, celebrities giving 'Happy Diwali'.. Read Exclusive