The Holy of month of Ramadan not only does bring peace and tranquility across the globe but people from other religions are too growing considerate towards the Holy month helping their Muslim brothers and sisters in their own way.
A 32-year-old Prahlad, an auto-driver from South Delhi, is one of an example for his generous help towards fasting Muslims. This person with an A4 size poster on his auto gives free-rides to people fasting in this month. A generous selfless service in his own way for Muslims was pretty surprised for his fame on Twitter.
When the Sunday Guardian contacted Prahlad asking him his reason for his selfless act at the cost of incurring losses he replied: “I just felt that it would not be easy to fast in this heat. Walking in the sun while you are fasting feels like a death wish. So I decided to do what was in my power. I have some Muslim friends and I have seen them work hard while they are fasting. That is what inspired me to give free rides to rozedaars.”
He said he manages to give at least 4-5 free rides to the people fasting. When asked how does he know if they are fasting, Prahlad said: “I directly ask all my clients before they sit in my auto, if they are fasting. That is the only way to spot a rozedaar; otherwise I will not know who to help.”
The sole bread earner of his family of 5 people, two sons and one daughter including his wife Prahlad also donates blood as an second selfless act.
An auto driver for the past four years, when asked how does he manage the loss of giving free rides he said: “I am incurring a loss here. But that is not the point. I can cut a little bit on my expenses and make up for it. It is only for a month, so it is okay. But I wanted to do it, so I did not hesitate.”
Explaining why does he not publicize his work, Prahlad said, it is to avoid trouble. “Some of the other auto drivers criticised me and said that I am lying. I do not want to create trouble.”
Prahlad surely wouldn’t step down fearing trouble with assuring he would keep the poster until the of Ramadan.
In another instance, Yashpal Saxena, late Ankit Saxena’s father, has been organizing Iftar party in the fond memory of his son who was murdered by his Muslim girlfriend’s family since they disapproved his son’s relation with the girl for not being a Muslim.
This father did all it takes not to communalize and politicize his son’s murder. He had been ever since organizing Iftaar party to promote communal harmony among the communities.
Another case of brotherhood, Mr Radhe Shyam is the man who distributes iftaar packets to people of different religions at AIIMS and several other hospitals in Delhi.
This man is working with a Old Delhi based organization that serves iftaar to people staying on footpaths or hospital corridors for the treatment.
The organization goes by the name “Muslims of India” on Twitter. The account handler Ali Shervani, says, “Radhe Shyam is our Man Friday. He does all the major footwork. He has been responsible for buying the food, arranging it and then distributing as well. He does not like publicity, but he is a star among us.”
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This organization plans to expand their help service reaching out to NGOs night shelters to distribute iftaar packets to people irrespective of their religion.
“It is a must for Muslims to do charity and in the month of Ramzan, almost all Muslim households give more away in alms etc. than other months of the year. But to see people from different faiths join us in our activities or help less better-off Muslims is heart warming,” says Ali.
Author of Mothering a Muslim, Nazia Erum is also working on building inter-faith iftaar parties concept to bring people from different religions under one roof. This concept opens door to people of all faiths who have never had a meal in Muslim households.