Mallanna Temple in Karwan supplies dates to five masjids in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: The Mallanna Temple in Karwan supplies dates to the five masjids in the area for Iftar every Friday during the month of Ramzan.

The tradition started three years ago in a bid to build a bond between the two communities. Considered to be a highly sensitive area, Karwan has seen communal clashes between the two communities in the past.

S. Shanker Yadav, chairman of the Mallanna Temple Committee at Tallagadda in Karwan explained, “There was a strong need felt to ease the tension between the two communities. For a long time, I worked on the idea of hosting an Iftar for the Muslim brethren. But due to some reason, it never happened. Despite so many efforts there would be some problems and the idea never saw the light of day. Finally, I thought that as Friday was an auspicious day for them, supplying dates to the masjid would help.” And it did. Hence every Friday, the temple authorities procure 25 kg of dates and supply five kg to each of the five masjids in the area.

The maulanas of the masjids also willingly accepted Mr Yadav’s proposal. Raees Sheikh, in-charge of a masjid committee, said, “Given the history of sensitivity, we thought this was a good gesture and we must not remain aloof. It was important to live peacefully together and the initiative by the temple committee was accepted.”

Mr Yadav added, “I have found immense satisfaction after taking up this project. It has helped to build confidence in each other. In case of doubt or skirmishes, there is scope to go back and amicably talk and sort out issues.”