THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A Catholic priest delivered a sermon in Kerala’s Masjid thanking the Muslims community for selflessly feeding the victims during the deadliest floods.
On August 31, Father Joseph (Sanu) Puthussery went to the Juma Masjid at Vechoor in Kottayam district to thanks the ‘Maulavi’ (Muslim cleric) and other authorities personally, but “they invited me to their prayer hall and offered me their platform to speak. It was a rare gesture of togetherness,” the priest was quoted as saying to a leading agency.
Father Joseph addressed over 250 Muslim brothers who came to attend Jum’ah (Friday) prayers from the same platform where a ‘Maulavi’ addresses the believers.
Serving as the priest at St Antony’s Church at Achinakom, Fr Puthussery said that 580 hapless people had sought refuge in the church hall but there was a shortage of food and water.
“I straightaway went to the Masjid, appraised the Maulavi about our difficulty and requested his help. After the day’s prayers, Muslim brothers came to the church with a large quantity of food and water as per his direction,” Fr Puthussery told.
“I cannot express my gratitude to them in words. That much help and support they had extended during the time of difficulties,” he said.
In his around 10-minute speech, the Catholic priest said that the devastating floods have not only snatched away valuables and washed away the walls of differences but also build the bridges of togetherness.