The Sikh community in Haryana’s Gurugram is offering the premises of its Gurudwaras for members of the Muslim community to offer their Friday namaz tomorrow. The initiative comes amid heightened tension between the two communities after members of right-wing groups disrupted namaz in some open areas of Gurugram over the past few months.
According to the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, at least five Gurudwaras have agreed to open their doors for Muslims, and have also sought permission from local authorities to allow them to offer namaz. Media reports cited that the Gurudwaras in Sadar Bazar, Sector 39, Sector 46, Model Town and Jacobpura will be taking the initiative.
Speaking with the Indian Express, the president of the sabha, Sherdil Singh Sidhu said that the Gurudwaras are open to all and people from all communities can come and pray here.
Sidhu also said that the move was taken in light of Guru Nanak Dev’s anniversary that will be celebrated on Friday, November 19. Sidhu said that people of the Muslim community can offer namaz in groups of 30-40 while maintaining social distance and following other COVID norms.
Meanwhile, a shop owner in Gurgaon’s Sector 12 also came out in support of local Muslims – offering his empty shop spaces for their Friday prayers. “I will continue to do so today and tomorrow, again and again,” said Akshay Yadav to Scroll.in.
Earlier, on November 3, members of the Resident Welfare Association (RWA) and other locals objected and withdrew permission to allow Friday’s namaz in eight designated sites in Gurgaon. Hindu outfits have reportedly been disrupting the Friday prayers and heckling people of the Muslim community in these areas for the last two months.
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