(From top) Tabrez Siddiqui, Javed Siddiqui and Arshad Safipuri (in sunglasses) at their bhandaras on Tuesday

LUCKNOW: He is a Muslim by birth and a devotee of Hanuman by choice. His house bustles with preparations for iftar as well as Bada Mangal. A devout rozedar, he hosts bhandara for the faithful to feast. Meet Javed Siddiqui , 32, of Lalbagh who considers himself fortunate to wake up to both fajr ki namaz and bhajans every morning.

A witness to communal amity since he was a child, Javed has been organising the Bada Mangal feast for six years. “No religion preaches hostility. Social media tries to spread hate between people. The ground reality is different. It is love and brotherhood all the way,” he told TOI on this auspicious Tuesday.

Like Javed, a number of rozedar Muslims in the city are sending out a message of religious harmony by organising bhandara and reminding people of Lucknow’s unique tehzeeb that places humanity above all religious affiliations.

When Mohammad Tabrez Sidiqqui shifted to Lucknow from Unnao 10 years ago to join work with the Indian Railways, his perspective changed. From being a person who only celebrated Eid, he began participating in Hindu festivals too.

“In 2009, my colleagues organised iftar for me on the office premises. I felt happy and grateful,” said the 47-year-old who organised his first Bada Mangal bhandara in Alambagh in 2011.

Coming from a family that has been closely associated with Durga Puja and Bada Mangal celebrations, Arshad Safipuri has been taking forward the legacy of hosting bhandara for 20 years now.

“My father and brother were members of Bhootnath Durga Puja Committee. Since childhood, I have believed in Hazrat Ali and Bajrangbali. Both are powerful role models,” said 52-year-old Arshad.

