MITHI: Tharparkar always hits headlines for lack of basic facilities, untold misery caused by droughts and lack of water, which overshadow the region’s beauty that lies in its rich culture, exemplary hospitality and centuries-old traditions of respect for humanity.

The desert region, dominated by the Hindu community, is a great example of interfaith harmony in the world. Both Hindu and Muslim and Hindu communities live in this region with complete religious peace and exemplary goodwill gestures for each other.

While Muslims never decline to attend Hindu religious festivals, Hindus take pride in exchanging greetings with Muslims on holy occasions like Eidul Fitr, Eidul Azha and Eid Miladun Nabi (SAW). In Ramazan, especially, the Hindu community arranges Iftar parties for their Muslim brethren in a great show of religious harmony and mutual respect for different faiths.

The desert dwellers, who have an almost equal share of Muslims and Hindus, have a common culture, costumes and traditions, especially about festivals and marriage ceremonies. They celebrate their festivals together and invite each other to join in festivities on special occasions like Eid, Holi etc.

Prof Noor Ahmed Jhangi, educationist and man of letters, said: “I remember during my childhood in Vakrio village, one Jaimal Meghwar used to visit our mosque during Iftari. I think it is because of simplicity of people and resilient nature of desert dwellers, who attended different festivals and reciprocated gifts,” he said.

Prof Jhanji said that it was pleasant to see that even to this day youths were trying their best to carry on the rich legacy of their forefathers and maintain the great traditions.

Krishan Sharma, rights activist, gave credit to elders of various communities for keeping the rich traditions alive despite growing threats to the fabric of society from the advent of industrialisation in the desert. Thar was a true face of the country as it encapsulated the vision of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, he said.

Abdul Subhan Samejo, district emir of Jamaat-i-Islami said: “We have never lost any opportunity to attend Iftar parties held in honour of fasting Muslims even at temples”.

Nobody had ever objected to their youths joining festivals of Hindus. They had asked their party workers to actively participate in the Iftar parties being arranged by Hindu friends as the Prophet (peace be upon him) was a messenger to all mankind, he said.

Mama Vishan Thari, known as ‘Edhi of Thar’ for his great philanthropic work, said that Thar had this unique tradition for centuries that Hindus equally respected holy months of Ramazan and Muharram.

He said that many Hindus not only fasted during Ramazan like Muslims but also took part in mourning processions during Ashur days. “We celebrate all our festivals together,” Mama Vishan added.

Partab Shivani, educationalist and rights activist, said that people used to celebrate Eid, Holi and Diwali together but over the last couple of years in the wake of migration of people from outside Thar and growing corporate sector, some people did try to sow hatred through social media but they failed as majority did not respond them.

Naseer Memon, writer, said that communal harmony in Tharparkar was a unique social feature of this area. Both Muslims and Hindus not only lived like a family but they also celebrated their religious and cultural days together, he said. Javed Samoon, writer, said that Ramazan was a holy month for both Muslims and Hindus in Tharparkar where Hindus arranged Iftar parties for Muslims in villages’ mosques.

Published in Dawn, April 29th, 2022