The Sikh community has always supported Kashmiriyat and brotherhood

Kashmir Sikh community members hosted an iftar dinner in Srinagar on June 2 to promote the state’s composite culture and fostering brotherhood between the two different communities. Iftar is a religious observance of Ramadan where Muslims gather to break their day-long fast. This meal is eaten moments after the Maghrib prayer call, which is called around sunset.

The Kashmir Sikh Education and Charitable Trust (KSECT) was the iftar host, and the list of guests included bureaucrats, politicians, businesspersons, police officers, and social activists. The event was praised by every attendee, including Farooq Abdullah of the National Conference Member Parliament, and Shah Faisal, an IAS officer who joined politics. Prayers were offered at the venue and Professor (Doctor) Muhammad Salim led them, the HOD Urology SKIMS. The iftar party was held at the Hotel Radisson.

Baldev Singh Raina, the Chairman of KSECT, said that the event was one token of love given by the Sikhs to their Muslim brothers. Both communities have braved multiple political turbulences in Kashmir, and this will continue in the future. He went on to say that the Sikh community has always supported Kashmiriyat and brotherhood. This event aimed to bolster it further. Raina, who is also the CEO and MD of Peaks Group, said that events like this would be organized in the future as there is a need to spread brotherhood. Raina pointed out that Kashmiris have transitioned through trying times and mutual help will enable all Kashmiris, regardless of whether he is a Muslim or a Sikh to surmount all problems.

Raina warmed up to this theme, saying that as a part of Kashmir society, Muslims and Sikhs must be united to beat back any evil design. Raina highlighted the fact that Kashmiri Muslims and Sikhs share culture and history. Both the communities will continue to do so and participate in each other’s events. Raina said that the iftar event is a component of the celebrations of Sri Guru Nanak Devji’s 550th birth anniversary and reminded the audience the Guru’s words of equality of all humans and the need to respect anyone and everyone irrespective of caste, religions, and creed.

Way to go.Great heart warming news https://t.co/UwoAOF91Wj — Shekhar Reikhi (@ShekharReikhi) June 4, 2019

Muslim attendees praised the Sikh community for their generosity and kindness. One attendee said that it was the Sikhs who supported the Kashmiri students after right-wing Hindu nationalists attacked them after the suicide bombing incident in Pulwama. The Sikh community organized free lunches and helped the distressed students to come back to the state.

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