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Peace & Harmony Stories from South Asia

*Muslim Priests at Hindu Temple, India West, July 17, 2009
Pahalgam (PTI) – Situated on the banks of the icy Lidder River, a 900-year old Shiva temple is the only shrine run by Muslim priests in this Muslim-majority state.
After the migration of Kashmiri Pandits from a nearby village, two Muslim priests – Mohammad Abdullah and Ghulam Hassan – have kept the doors of the Mamalaka temple open.
“We not only took care of the temple but also held aartis everyday,” Hassan told a visiting PTI correspondent here.
Besides ensuring the safety of the 3-foot-long black stone Shivaling, Abdullah and Hassan have ensured no devotee goes without Prasad even for a single day.
Built by Raja Jai Suria, the temple was once a must-stop for pilgrims to the mountaintop Amarnath cave shrine.

*Muslim Tops in Sanskrit Studies, India West, July 10, 2009
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI) - A Muslim girl has topped Kerala University’s Sanskrit Vedanta graduation examination this year.
Rahmath, a student of Kollam college run by the Devaswom Board, which manages the state’s Hindu temples, said she chose Sanskrit and Vedanta because the language is a “symbol of our national culture.”
She said she faced no resistance from her orthodox Muslim family or the extended community when she chose Sanskrit.
“In fact, my parents and others in the family encouraged me when I told them of my wish to join B.A. Sanskrit Vedanta course. Teachers in my college also gave me total support,” she told PTI.
The focus of the graduate course is on Advaita philosophy, as elucidated by sage Sankaracharya. Rehmath says she wants to continue higher studies and research in Sanskrit.

*After Mumbai attacks Chamliyal Mela bringing Indo-Pak closer, NAK News, June 26, 09 http://www.naknews.co.in/newsdet.aspx?21748

Ramgarh (Chamliyal), June 25(NAK): The Chamliyal Mela (Fair) was celebrated with full fervor and joyfulness by the people of both sides India and Pakistan in Ramgarh sector of International Border, today.

After Mumbai attacks this is first time that Indo-PaK troops are meeting each other and distributing sweets among each other.

“The Festival has always played a role of catalyst to bring the troops of the two neighboring countries closer to each other”, said a visitor who was accompanying the PaK rangers on zero line.

“Border have divided the land in two parts but the blessings of Baba Chamliyal still enables us to see each other and due to this festival”, Asif a resident of Sialkot told News Agency of Kashmir.

He said that no one wants borders between the humanity but these are only circumstances which put us in sixty years trial.

The Deputy Inspector General of BSF from Indian side and Brigadier Masood from Pakistan exchanged sweets and Rangers handed over green Chader besides sweets to their Indian counter part to present it before Baba Chamliyal on behalf of People of Pakistan and Rangers.

PaK Rangers accompanied by Pakistani devotees from Sialkot and other parts of Pakistan come on the International Border near the shrine and attended the fair; however they are not permitted to visit the shrine.

Deputy Commissioner Samba, Inspector General of Police Jammu range K. Rajendra , Corporator, Bansi Lal Gupta, Rashida Begum and other senior citizens of the Jammu and Samba district were also present in the Mela. Gupta had organised free Langer for the devotees outside the Shrine.

The families of both police and civil officials were seen coming in their official vehicles despite scrunching heat? While those belong to poor families believe to come on foot on such occasions. “I came by-foot from Vijaypur chowk and have started in the morning at 5.30 along with my family”, Sham Lal said adding we believe that devotees should come without shoes if they want their wishes come true.

“This fair is a living testimony for the Hindu-Muslim ties along the International Border that survived the scars of the partition”, a PaK visitor told NAK, adding, “The love and blessings of Baba replaced bullets and intermittent bangs of mortars by rhythmic beats of drums and devotional songs on Indo-Pak borders”.

It is believed that the soil and water near the Baba shrine cures skin diseases of all types and Pakistani devotees are gifted this soil and water by the Indian Border Security forces after the function is over.

The soil given to them is called (Shakar) means sugar and the water as Sharbat means Juice.

The Rangers were gifted with the two trolleys Soil (Shaker) and two tankers water (Sharbat) by the Indian counter parts for distributing among the devotees of the other side.

Thousands visit on both sides of border to pay their obeisance to Baba and take part in the festival at his shrines in Chamliyal in India and Saidawali in Pakistan. “see how it hearts one heart that one brother is on that side and another is at this side” said member of Baba Chamliyal Committee adding “I have seen people from Pakistan coming here in Ramgarh on the day of Mela (Fair) but circumstances created a gap between the two”.

People in Pakistan who were visible from the zero line assemble at Baba’s Dargah in Saidawali village, but they are not allowed to cross the border.

Another visitor from Indian side said “This is not just a mela but a strong bond and Baba’s blessings that have kept people of two countries emotionally close to each other despite the unfortunate partition in 1947.

Till 1971 Pakistan’s were allowed to visit this side of the border but after 1971 war only Chader green cloth is allowed.

After 1990’s the fair was suspended due to heavy shelling but later after seize fire Pakistani rangers (Border Police) was allowed to participate in the festival.

India and Pakistan fought three of two wars in past, the people of both the countries still assemble and pay their obeisance to Baba Chamliyal. The Chamliyal festival (Fair) is organised every last Thursday of June in memory of 18th century saint on both sides of Indo- Pak Border in Ramgarh sector on Indian side.

Baba Chamliyal lived about 300 years ago and came to be revered by people because of his saintly qualities and spiritual powers.

It is said that Baba sacrificed his life when he was beheaded by those who did not like his growing influence at village Saidawali now in Pakistan. But the legend says his head, through Baba’s spiritual power came to Chamliyal village where his disciples built a tomb in his memory.(NAK)

*Where people and animals find solace
http://jang.com.pk/thenews/may2009-weekly/nos-10-05-2009/kol.htm#6

The Neenuram Ashram in Tharparkar serves as a beacon to all souls

Deep in the impoverished town of Islamkot in Tharparkar 355 kilometres away from Karachi lies the 100-year-old historic Saint Shree Neenuram Ashram, where hundreds of animals, children and jobless people find solace.  

Every day, birds flock to the holy place to get food, and hundreds of cows and buffaloes make their way here to have a drink of water from the many 'piyaos' in the Ashram, and get fodder free of cost along the way. This is a place where as many as 4,000 to 5,000 animals come to quench their thirst.

"The Thardeep Rural Development Programme has given us hand pumps," explains Kala Khushal, 71, shevadari (khidmatgaa) of the Ashram. "We have wells and a water supply system, and about 100 animals can take a drink at a time."

Khushal has been serving here as a shevadari since 1997, but worked at the Ashram as long ago as 1947 to 1959. Back then, he was a sweeper and used to give water to whoever wanted it. Later, he was a patwari in the district of Dadu, but after his retirement, he came back to serve Saint Shree Neenuram of his own free will. Children from the scheduled caste and adults who cannot afford to pay for food find comfort here too.

"Between 300 and 500 people are served lunch and dinner here every day free of cost," says Khushal. "Among the people who come here are those who migrate to barrage areas every day because of drought in Tharparkar. They eat here because they can't afford to get food from anywhere else."
But at this Ashram, nobody has to beg for food. Trucks loaded with rice and ghee pour in from across the province as a mark of respect to Saint Shree Neenuram, who established the Ashram more than 100 years ago. "It is the love people have for the saint that ensures we are never short of contributions," says Khushal. "Neen in Hindi means eyes, and Ram is our God, hence the name Neenuram." 

Inside the Ashram is a small temple boasting of a beautiful moorti, which was carved in Jeepur in India. But the Ashram is more than just a place of aesthetic wonder or a haven to feed people. Back in 1962, a school for girls was established at the Ashram, and with Hindi as a medium of instruction, the girls receive not just education, but also vocational training, particularly in sewing. More recently in 2005, it also established a charity hospital. 

Khushal is proud to say that the Ashram has never been affected by religious fanatics. "Tharparkar has a unique culture where Muslims and Hindus live in peace," he says. As far as he knows, there has never been a riot between either group of people. "It is not like Swat and the tribal areas where people are killing each other," he adds. 

Still, he has a word of caution. "Things are changing and nobody knows about the future.”

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Link to Peace and Harmony Stories 2005

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