Hindu community remembers Palestinians in Diwali celebrations

The Hindu community across Karachi — the city of lights — held the celebrations of Diwali — the festival of lights — on Sunday by illuminating their houses and temples and greeting each other.

The Pakistan Hindu Council (PHC), a representative body of the Hindu community in the country, appealed to the Hindus to make special prayers on the occasion for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

The Hindu community will continue Diwali celebrations today and tomorrow (Monday and Tuesday). One of the major Diwali celebrations was held at the Swaminarayan Mandir where a large number of Hindu families along with Muslim and Sikh fellows gathered, exchanged greetings and offered sweets to one another. Later, special prayers were offered at the temple.

In his message on Diwali, PHC Patron-in-Chief Ramesh Kumar Vankwani said: “Let’s pray that peace may prevail to everyone, especially in Gaza where innocent people are suffering from hunger, poverty, unrest, and war. My message on Diwali to the international community is to ensure immediate ceasefire in Gaza and resolve the issue peacefully.”

Sindh Caretaker Minister for Irrigation Ishwar Lal in his statement extended Diwali greetings to the Hindu community and stated that Diwali was a festival of joy and happiness.

He emphasised that Diwali symbolised the triumph of light against the darkness of evil and ignorance. Similar to other religions worldwide, Hinduism also condemned extremism, oppression and brutality, he remarked.

The minister condemned the inhumane actions of Israeli forces in Palestine and said the Pakistani Hindu community stood firmly with the oppressed people of Palestine.

He said the Hindu community in Pakistan had been observing Diwali with freedom. Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Senior Deputy Convener Dr Farooq Sattar participated in a Diwali ceremony held at the Sindh Boys Scouts Auditorium. Addressing the gathering, he extended heartfelt Diwali greetings to the Hindu community in Pakistan and expressed his utmost respect for all religions.

He asserted that the MQM-P was committed to promoting interfaith harmony. The message of Diwali was to spread peace and tranquility, eliminate darkness and bring light to every corner, he said. MQM-P leader from the Hindu community Mangla Sharma was also present on this occasion.

The participants at the ceremony also prayed for the people of Gaza. Speaking about Diwali, Ajay Kumar, a pharmacist by profession, told The News that he spent the first day of the festival of light by delivering cakes and sweets to relatives. At around 7:30pm in the evening, he participated in a Puja of goddess Laxmi Mata at his residence with family and friends.

The Puja was followed by eating sweets and bursting firecrackers, and later the guests were served Chana (chickpeas) Biryani. Kumar explained that Diwali was celebrated to commemorate the return of Hindu God Shri Ram to his home after spending 14 years in exile.

PPI adds: Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori on Sunday congratulated the Hindu community on the festival of Diwali. Lauding the services of the minorities in the progress and prosperity of the country, the governor said the members of the Hindu community were playing a pivotal role in the fields of agriculture, business and medicine in the province.

The governor said the minorities in Pakistan had every right under the Constitution and they were free to observe their religious festivals and rituals without any fear. Sindh Caretaker Chief Minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar also extended greetings to the Hindu community living around the world, including Sindh, on the occasion of Diwali. In a message, he said Diwali was a festival of light and happiness.

The Constitution of Pakistan guaranteed the rights of Hindu community in the country, he said. Meanwhile, Sindh Inspector General of Police Raffat Mukhtar Raja on Sunday issued instructions to the police to ensure security on the occasion of Diwali. He said concrete steps should be taken at the range, district and zone level for the security of the people belonging to the Hindu community.