ISLAMABAD, Oct 28: A small group of Muslims joined their Hindu compatriots in celebrating Diwali here on Tuesday, rendering harmony to the festival of lights.

“Diwali symbolises victory of good over evil and the lamps lit on the occasion represent hope for the mankind. May this festival bring happiness to all of us,” observed Gamoow Ram Sagar lighting diyas with his Muslim friends outside a restaurant, a haunt of avant garde group in the city.

Nearly a dozen people had gathered in front of Civil Junction, popularly known as CJ, to celebrate Diwali. The CJ has been celebrating the Hindu festival for two years.

“It’s about recognising and celebrating festivals of all the religions. It’s about sending the message of interfaith harmony across. And it is about expressing solidarity with the minorities and promoting secular values,” said Reema Aftab who also lit a diya.

Bushra Jafar, another participant who also lit a lamp, said she has celebrated the festival of lights abroad with her Hindu friends.

“Those celebrations were out of this world. Events of happiness should be cherished beyond faith and boundaries. And it’s about capturing moments of happiness no matter where they come from. After all, there were times when we all lived together and celebrated events of happiness together,” Bushra said.Arshad Bhatti, owner of Civil Junction, said, “It’s been part of our culture. It empowers us and enriches us. We should focus on culture that brings people closer than on religion that divides them. It’s about being happy and that is our right.”

Later, the gathering sat together and enjoyed the chilly night over casual chit chat, sweets and hot coffee and tea.

The Hindu community celebrates Diwali every year for five consecutive days. The word 'Diwali' is derived from the Sanskrit word Deepavali. 'Deepa' means light and ‘Avali' means a row. Hindu houses are illuminated with twinkling lamps to welcome Lakshami, the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity.

On this occasion, Hindus decorate the doors of their houses with colours to indicate the long-awaited arrival of the goddess and the walls of the houses are covered with small footprints of the goddess, which are made of rice, flour and vermilion powder.This festival is celebrated and is looked upon mainly as the beginning of New Year. The first day is called Dhanteras or Dhantrayodashi while the second day is called Narka-Chaturdashi.

The third day of the festival is the most important day of Lakshmi Pooja, which is entirely devoted to the propitiation of Hindu goddess Lakshmi. This day is also known by the name of Chopada Pooja and the fourth day is Padwa or Varshapratipada. The fifth and final day of Diwali is called “Bhayya Duj”

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has greeted the Hindu community on the occasion of Dewali.

In his message, he said the government believed that Hindus and all other minorities were equal citizens of the state and must be given equal rights. He reiterated that the new democratic government believed in the principles enunciated by the Father of the Nation.

Speaker National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza greeted the Hindu members of National Assembly and the Hindu community.

In her message, Dr Mirza said she was delighted to send her warmest greetings to Hindu MNAs and everyone in the Hindu community on the auspicious occasion of Diwali.

“Diwali is such a wonderful inclusive festival which reaches beyond your communities to people of many backgrounds all over the world,” she said.

Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi also conveyed his greetings to the Hindu MNAs. He also appreciated their contributions in national development, fostering national unity and cohesion.