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
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Nightclub fire: Goa court remands Luthra brothers in police custody for five days
Panaji (PTI): A court in North Goa on Wednesday remanded Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, co-owners of the ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ nightclub, in police custody for five days.
The brothers, brought to Goa from Delhi after being deported from Thailand in connection with the December 6 blaze that killed 25, were produced in the court after undergoing health check-ups twice at the District Hospital in North Goa.
Judicial Magistrate First Class Mapusa Puja Sardesai remanded the two brothers in police custody for five days.
Advocate Vishnu Joshi, representing Bhavana Joshi who lost four family members in the tragedy, said that the accused were asking for “special consideration” claiming poor health.
ALSO READ: Dharmasthala mass burial case: Accused Chinnayya expected to be released on Wednesday
“We said they should not be given any extra relaxation,” he said, adding that the court has taken cognisance of the fact that this is about the death of “25 people in the form of mass genocide”.
“But since they kept pressing for medical check-up, the court ordered reexamination of their health. It is clear in the medical examination that they don’t require any consideration. The accused sought special considerations in the lock-up like a good mattress, which the court refused,” said Joshi.
A team of the Goa Police, along with the Luthra brothers, arrived at the Manohar International Airport, Mopa, in North Goa at 10.45 am.
The duo was initially taken to a Primary Health Centre at Siolim for medical examination. They were then taken to the District Hospital at Mapusa.
After their health assessment, the two were brought to the court.
The court directed that the accused be sent for fresh medical examination. Accordingly, the two were again taken to the District Hospital.
Later, they were produced before Judge Sardesai, who ordered the five-day police custody of the accused.
After the fire tragedy at Arpora village, the Anjuna police had registered a case against the Luthra brothers on various charges, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
The brothers were arrested in Delhi on Tuesday after being deported from Thailand. A court there allowed the Goa Police their two-day transit remand.
ALSO READ: Woman threatens to end life as police official refuses to accept love proposal, FIR registered
The duo had fled to Phuket in Thailand early on December 7, hours after the fire at their nightclub, prompting the authorities to issue an Interpol Blue Corner Notice and cancel their passports.
They were detained by Thai authorities at Phuket on December 11 following a request from the Indian government, which later coordinated with officials in Thailand to deport them under legal treaties between the two nations.
Five managers and staff members have already been arrested by the Goa Police in connection with the fire.
