For the first time, on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, the faithful from Sunni and Shia communities have offered Eid prayer jointly at Jama Masjid of the Jamia Milia Islamia here on Saturday.
A group of local Shia community offered Eid prayers along with thousands of Sunni brothers and thus has shown a path of sectarian unity between the two prominent sects of Islam which are presently facing strife and conflict in some Arab countries.
According to the All India Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat, which welcomed the extraordinary move, said things became easy after the Jama Masjid Imam Maulana Suleiman Qasmi gave his consent for holding a prayer along with Shia brothers.
“Though it is a small event in itself but it has conveyed a great message,” Maulana Qasmi said.
Maulana Qasmi told the AIMMM that it is not new thing for Jamia Mosque as many Shia brethren used to join Eid-ul-Fitr namaz in the past. “Dr Syed Zahoor Qasim” Vice Chancellor of the Jamia used to offer Eid Namaz when he was the VC of Jamia Milia, Maulana Qasmi added.
The idea of joint prayer ‘Shoulder to Shoulder Movement’, an initiative conceived by a group of friends in Jamia Nagar in the back- drop of growing hostility between the two sects in West Asia.
“We want to deliver a global message that yes, Shia and Sunni live in harmony and brotherhood,” an organizer Mazin Khan said.
According to organizers it is a noble idea and a befitting reply to enemies of Islam who are conspiring to create chasm between Sunnis and Shias world over. Thanks to wisdom of people, our country is safe from the sectarian conflict and tensions, he said.