Kerala. K Paliyam Imam V.P. One such appeal of Suhaib Maulvi is becoming increasingly viral on social media, which has presented a unique example of communal harmony and brotherhood. He has called for opening of mosques and Muslim houses for Hindu devotees on the occasion of the upcoming Attukal Pongala festival. Many users on social media are praising this initiative as the ‘real Kerala story’.
Attukal Pongal festival on 3 March
Actually, Attukal Pongal is a famous 10-day festival celebrated at Attukal Bhagavathi Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Attukal Pongal, which falls on March 3 this year, is considered one of the biggest celebrations of women across the world. In this festival lakhs of women of different age groups gather in the capital city and participate in the rituals. Earlier, a speech by Palayam Imam appealing for solidarity and hospitality has gained widespread attention online. The Imam urged that mosques and houses should be opened for devotees coming for the festival and arrangements for food and drinking water should be made for them on the day of Pongal. Imam of Palayam, Dr. Suhaib Maulvi said in his message, ‘Attukal Pongala is coming in just a few days. Since it belongs to a different religion, we do not participate in its rituals and ceremonies. However, many sisters and children will come to Thiruvananthapuram as guests. We should try to give them the best welcome.
Mosques and houses should be completely open for them: Imam
Imam further said that like last year, this year also Pongala is happening during Ramzan. We should get the opportunity to share the best experiences of Ramzan, its joy, brotherhood and love with the sisters and their children coming to Pongala. He said, ‘We should provide them drinking water and Ramzan dishes. We should make arrangements for their comfort. Such a situation has to be created where our mosques and homes are completely open for them. This is an opportunity to openly display our love and brotherhood.
Maulvi is being praised on social media
The Maulvi further stressed that the growing Islamophobia and hatred in the country and the world can be effectively countered only through love and brotherhood. He described this festival as a good opportunity to strengthen the message of reconciliation. Now the Muslim religious leader’s speech soon went viral on social media platforms. People from different religions shared his video clippings on different platforms and described his action as the real story of Kerala, an example of harmony and brotherhood between different religions and communities in Kerala.