A church in Kerala opens its gates for Muslims to offer Namaz during anti-CAA protest
Kerala: This could be the first such incident when the Maghrib (evening) prayer was recited from a church and hundreds of Muslims offered Namaz in a church compound.
It happened in Kothamangalam, in Kerala's Ernakulam District on Saturday.
It was a massive rally organized by the All India Professional Congress, against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The rally from Muvattupuzha to Kothamangalam also saw the participation of leaders from Congress, IUML, CPIM, and others.
By the time the march reached Kothamangalam, it was time for the Maghrib prayers. And, without any hesitation, the authorities at the St. Thomas Church, Kothamangalam (Mar Thoma Cheriapally) opened its campus and welcomed the Muslims to offer their prayers there.
What is even more heartwarming was that the priest of Marthoma Cheriapally himself offered water to perform Wudhu (the ritual washing performed by Muslims before prayer) to IUML leader Sayyid Munavvar Ali Thangal who was part of the march.
"It was such nice gesture to see the priests and Christian devotees welcome us there," Munavvar Ali wrote on Facebook.
Sharing the video of Muslims offering prayers at the church Munavvar Ali further wrote: "This is a reflection of the desire of lakhs of people who want to see our country remain how it is now".
"Friends, let love be our weapon and unity our shield. We cannot let them destroy this country. We will overcome this," he said in the Facebook post.
Last week, another church in Kerala, the Marthoma Church, Kozhencherry had extended solidarity with the Muslim community by singing a Christmas Carol song in the tune of Mappilappattu (traditional Muslim folk song) while wearing hijabs and skull caps.
This is India, no one can stop the unity of our religions. Please see how these youngsters appeared in their X'mas carol service in solidarity with Indian Muslims and protest against CAA&NRC. This was part of their Christmas carol service in Marthoma Church, Kozhenchery, Kerala. pic.twitter.com/CQjHb4GULn
— Jijoy (@jijoy_matt) December 25, 2019
Over the past few weeks, several others in the state too had come up with creative ways to make their voices heard against the CAA and NRC.
Several couples used their 'Save the date' photoshoots to spread the message.
There were even Christmas Carols where Sant went around with anti- CAA and NRC messages.
Kerala was one of the first state to come out against the NRC and and said that both CAA and NRC won't be implemented in the state.
Unlike most of the state, in Kerala, both the Ruling CPIM-led LDF and the opposition, Congress-led UDF are on the same page when it comes to protests against CAA and NRC.
Kerala had also suspended the work of NPR considering “apprehension among the general public” following the National Register of Citizens and Citizenship Act.
Courtesy: www.indiatimes.com
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Man abducted, assaulted, forced to drink urine in Ajmer; nine arrested
Jaipur (PTI): Nine persons, including a woman, have been arrested for allegedly abducting a man and subjecting him to torture in Rajasthan's Ajmer district, police said on Sunday.
The incident took place on Saturday in Gagwana village under the Gegal police station area and was allegedly linked to an ongoing dispute, they said.
According to police, a marriage between a woman and a man from Beer village, had ended in divorce following which she had been living at her parental home. About five months ago, the victim, identified as Jeetu (21), married the woman.
The woman's former in-laws allegedly objected to this marriage, claiming that the issue had not been settled in accordance with community norms, and that the dispute had been ongoing.
Following this, Jeetu was allegedly abducted on Saturday, held captive, and assaulted by the woman's former in-law's. He was allegedly forced to wear a garland of shoes and slippers and made to drink urine, police said.
A video of the incident later surfaced on social media, triggering outrage in the area.
Following the circulation of the video, Jeetu's family staged a protest at the Gegal police station, alleging delay in police action.
Rural Circle Officer Ramchandra Chaudhary reached the spot and assured the family of prompt action. A case was registered on Saturday evening and teams were formed to trace the accused.
Superintendent of Police Harshvardhan Agarwala said nine accused, including a woman, have been arrested and the vehicles used in the crime seized.
Efforts are underway to apprehend the other absconding accused, police said.
