Religious heads stress the need for harmony

Various religious heads attended an Eid Milan programme organised by the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind at the Rang Mandir on Sunday.

Sri Sidrama Sharana of Beldal, Sri Basavalinga Pattaddevaru of Bhalki Hire Mutt, Sri Bhante Veera Jyoti, and Gyani Darbara Singh, spoke of the need for inter-religious harmony.

Sharanappa Mattur, MLC, asked people to remain cautious of vested interests trying to divide the society on communal lines.

“If all religions preach peace, why do they tend to lead us to violence?,” Ishaq Puttur, writer from Mangaluru, wondered.

“That is because religion is being misused by vested interests and political powers. People of various faiths should remain united in testing times. We should all realise that all of humanity follows one religion only our styles are different,” he said.

Mr. Puttar said the significance of Ramzan was not just about staying hungry during the day.

Rituals in the Holy month were meant to teach how to let go of ego, anger, jealously, and other vices.

It was also the time where we were taught about the need to care for our fellow human beings by giving donations, food and clothing, he said. The Holy Quran is meant to lessons on life to all people, and not just to Muslims.