RELIGIOUS HARMONY REPLICATES : PRECIS

 

MITHI - SINDH - PAKISTAN : In a desert town in Sindh, Hindus prepare meals for fasting Muslims, who in turn gather to welcome a HOLI procession, a rare moment of religious solidarity in the Islamic nation.

'' All the traditions and rituals here are celebrated together,'' Raj Kumar, a 30-year-old Hindu businessman told AFP.

'' You will see that on HOLI, Hindu youth are joined by Muslim youth, celebrating together and applying colors on each other,'' he added.

'' Even at the end of the Muslim call for prayer, the Imam says 'peace to Hindus and Muslims.' ''

This year, the Hindu festival of Holi and Ramazan fell together. Both events move each year according to the lunar calendar. 

Holi, the festival of colour, has for centuries marked the arrival of spring and raucous crowds playfully throw coloured powder and water over each other.

Last Thursday, hundreds of Hindus held a procession through the streets of Mithi, one of the few towns where they form the majority, to be warmly welcomed at the city square by their  Muslim neighbours.

The World Students Society thanks  AFP.