Joshimath, September 5 (Hindustan Times): A Sikh temple in India opened its doors to Muslims for Eidul Azha prayer on Saturday after a ground submerged with rainwater.
Muslims had gathered at a local ground in state of Uttarakhand in large numbers to offer prayers on the occasion of Eidul Azha but could not proceed due to incessant overnight rains. This is when Gurudwara Singh Sabha stepped in and welcomed them to the Gurudwara.
“Be it Hindus, Sikhs or Muslims we have a strong bonding in Joshimath. The senior management from the Gurudwara sahib and the Muslim community held a short meeting on Saturday morning and made quick arrangements for the prayers,” Buta Singh, manager, Shri Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara, told Hindustan Times on phone. More than 500 Muslims offered Namaaz in the retiring hall of the gurdwara, he said.
This is not the first time that Sikhs have offered space for Eid prayers. On August 20, 2012 the Muslims prayed at the same gurudwara.
Joshimath is believed to be the last place in the state towards the China border where Muslims offer Namaaz. Beyond Joshimath lies Badrinath, one of four shrines of the Chardham pilgrimage of Hindus.
“Though we keep hearing stories about growing hatred in the society, by Allah’s grace we never witnessed such negative things here,” said 50 years old Rais Ahmad.
Joshimath falls in the Chamoli district home to revered Hindu shrine – Badrinath and Hemkund Sahib, the Sikh Gurudwara.
