Mufaddal Saifuddin

mandals

Dawoodi Bohra

pravachan

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We have requested the Syedna on behalf of Pune’s community to be part of the Ganesh festival. We have spoken of the social work involved and he is expected to deliver a pravachan. His visit will be a beacon of positivity in these troubled times — Asghar Bhai Godhrawala, co-ordinator of the visit from the Bohra community

At a time when frequent lynchings and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam have the country in the grip of fear and communal strife, Ganpatiin Pune are taking a step towards harmony and collaboration.This year, the Ganesh festival and Muharram will be celebrated around the same time — this has occurred after a gap of 35 years. Seeing this as an opportunity to celebrate the diversity as well as the affinity of religion, Ganesh mandals have extended an invitation to Syedna Aaliqadr Mufaddal Saifuddin, the 53rd Da’i al-Mutlaq (religious leader) of thecommunity to deliver a speech orduring the festival.The plan is to organise a 10-day visit and get the spiritual leader to speak at one of the pandals.The plan is being spearheaded by the Akhil Mandai Ganpati Mandal in Mahatma Phule Mandai, which also happens to be celebrating its 125th year, with support from Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Sarvajanik Ganpati Trust and over 20,000 members of the Bohra community members from the city and its outskirts.Speaking to Mirror, Anna Thorat, chairman of Akhil Mandai Mandal confirmed the development, saying, “This is an attempt to bring two communities together on the occasions of the Ganesh festival and Muharram. We have sent a formal invitation, along with the consent of local community people. This move will send out a positive message of unity.”“By organising a pravachan during the festival, we want to convey a message of togetherness, communal harmony and peace. Many people from the Bohra community have been part of our festival for ages; this visit from the Syedna will only strengthen the bond,” he added.“Some delegations have already visited a number of venues in Pune to finalise the Syedna’s schedule. We have urged them to include one of the Ganpati pandals. They appeared willing, but we are waiting for a formal acceptance of our invitation,” said Thorat.Echoing these thoughts, Ashok Godse, president of Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Sarvajanik Ganpati Trust, said, “I was part of the meeting with the delegations and we are eager to have the Syedna visit us. Ganeshotsav and Muharram are being celebrated together after 35 years — we want to make the most of this opportunity to spread the message of harmony in the current climate of unrest.”Citizens and activists have welcomed the move whole-heartedly. Anand Saraf, a social activist who has been associated with Pune’s Ganpati festival for several years, said, “Ganesh mandals have played vital roles during all the communal riots and maintained peace in the city. Many of the mandal workers are Muslims, too, which only enhances the spirit of inclusiveness.“Many mandals, especially Akhil Mandai, reserve an entire day for Bohra Muslims to offer prayers in the form of ‘toran.’ I hope this visit by the Syedna will create bridges of harmony all over the country,” added Saraf.On his part, Asghar Bhai Godhrawala from the Bohra community, who is coordinating the visit, said, “We have requested the Syedna on behalf of Pune’s community to be part of the Ganesh festival. We have spoken of the social work involved and he is expected to deliver a pravachan. We are trying to make sure he visits one of the festival spots and are awaiting a confirmation.”“His visit will certainly be a beacon of positivity in these troubled times — there is a glaring need for efforts to bring communities together,” Godhrawala added.