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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Cong leader Prithviraj Chavan defiant after facing verbal missiles on Op Sindoor remarks
Mumbai (PTI): Despite facing criticism, senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan on Wednesday stood by his controversial comments that India faced a "total defeat" in aerial fight with Pakistan on the first day of Operation Sindoor on May 7.
The former Union minister refused to apologise for his comments on the Indian military operation against terror hubs in Pakistan and PoK in aftermath of massacre of tourists at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir in April.
Talking to reporters in Pune on Tuesday, Chavan claimed India faced a "total defeat in the aerial fight (with Pakistan) on May 7 which lasted for half-an-hour".
"One may believe this or not. After that the Indian Air Force got grounded and not a single aircraft took flight that day.... be it Gwalior, Bhatinda or Sirsa, there was a possibility of aircraft being shot down, so our complete Air Force was grounded," the former Maharashtra chief minister had said.
Hitting out at Chavan, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde accused the Congress of speaking the language of Pakistan. He said questioning the military action was akin to demoralising the morale of armed forces.
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"The criticism does not stem from the love of the nation, but love for Pakistan," said the chief leader of the Shiv Sena, a key constituent of the BJP-led NDA.
Chavan, however, remained defiant.
"There is no question of apologising. The Constitution has given me the right to ask questions," the Congress veteran asserted.
Chavan also questioned the need of having a 12-lakh strong Army when future wars will be about aerial combats and missiles. "During Operation Sindoor we saw that there was no movement of the Army even for a kilometre," he had said.
BJP Lok Sabha MP and spokesperson Sambit Patra said Chavan's remarks are loaded with sedition.
"He (Chavan) has refused to apologise. The Indian armed forces struck 100 kms inside the Pakistan territory and destroyed 11 air strips (of the Pakistani Air Force). He made remarks that the Indian Army did not even move an inch (during the military operation). This is nothing but a statement full of sedition, a statement of a traitor," Patra said, lashing out at the Congress leader.
The BJP spokesperson maintained the Congress appears to be standing with Chavan and alleged the Opposition party is playing into foreign hands.
Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra should apologise for it, he added.
Union minister Giriraj Singh of the BJP insisted it was not right to devalue the valour of Indian armed forces.
Samajwadi Party MP Virendra Singh suggested that wherever armed forces are concerned, every Indian should be mindful of statements they make and ensure their comments do not demoralise the military.
Operation Sindoor was a result of "mistakes of politicians", he claimed.
TDP MP Krishna Devraylu said after the poll defeat in Bihar, the Congress is rattled and their leaders have been talking absurdly.
"Chavan's remarks are a prime example of this. This kind of disrespect to our armed forces is not necessary. If the Congress is angry with the NDA, it should show it in a different way and not drag armed forces into it," Devraylu opined.
AAP MP Ashok Mittal said such statements should not be made by any senior politician, especially by someone who has been a former chief minister.
The Indian armed forces registered a strong victory and destroyed terror launchpads in Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, Mittal added.
