They performs her last rites, after all, she was like a mother to the boys.
Sakhu Kiran Singh lived in the part of Malad where Muslims form nearly 98% of the population.
For them, she was like an elder, a mother. Many local Muslim boys affectionately called her 'Tai' also.
She lived alone in her house but celebrated Ganeshotsava. Muslim youths bore the responsibility of the entire event--from Aarti to Visarjan. She also took part in Muslim festivites and events.
Besides, during Muharram she kept the 'sabeel'. When she passed away, all the local Muslims performed last rites. After Friday prayers, the funeral procession began and ended at Oshiwara Shamshan Ghat.
All Hindu rituals were observed. Karim Bhai lit the funeral pyre. Later, they went to Nasik for 'pind-daan'. The after-death rituals including 'terahvi' was also observed duly. The 'puja' was held. Ghaus Khan and Karim performed the rituals as if they were her sons.
The youths conduct each and every ritual, in the way the woman's kin would have performed them.
In a way it is sad that today we feel the need to highlight these aspects of our composite culture.
It happens across India. This is what humanity is all about. Standing for each other in life and even in death.It is unfortunate that today we need to highlight these aspects. The reason is there are people who grow up insulated from the other community.
They have grown up in localities where they didn't have many friends from diverse background. Even in schools and jobs, there is little interaction. Further, online hate campaigns and propaganda makes them believe that there is a rift between Hindus and Muslims. Hence, there is need to write about these aspects.
Read one of the reports in Hindi at this LINK
[Harmony exists all around us but is often ignored. Instead, stories of hate, discord and communalism get spread easily.
There are a million examples in our daily lives across India but they don't get promoted, hence, news of hate and discord gets heard more. Let's change it, now. This is a small attempt to change it through Communal Harmony Project]
For reading similar reports on this blog, Click the link HERE and also find out more about Communal Harmony Project
#communalharmony #communalharmonyproject #india
[Photos courtesy, LINK to sotry: India Today]