How Muslims and Hindus of Tando Adam came together in Ramazan

The two communities united for Iftar and an exchange of Eid gifts.
Published July 3, 2017

Fasting through the month of June, Pakistanis across the nation had to deal with a scorching summer, while trying to abstain from all the delicacies they would later enjoy on Eid. Even though the majority of the month went by without incident, the last few days of Ramazan proved a grim prelude to what should be a festive period.

It is no secret that certain elements in Pakistan want to divide Pakistanis based on their caste and creed through spreading fear and vitriol. However, locals in the small city of Tando Adam proved that despite a difference in their beliefs, consideration and understanding of each others cultures and traditions is what Pakistan needs to exist as a diverse society.

Coming together for Iftar, the Hindu and Muslim communities of Tando Adam showed that they can coexist in a multicultural city. The Hindu Panchayat hosted an evening vegetarian Iftar party and distributed Eid gifts and goods to 350 impoverished families.

A young man lays the table for the guests for the evening's diverse Iftar party
A young man lays the table for the guests for the evening's diverse Iftar party

The vegetarian menu included plenty of fruits.
The vegetarian menu included plenty of fruits.

Hindus and Muslims join hands in a collective prayer towards unity and religious harmony.
Hindus and Muslims join hands in a collective prayer towards unity and religious harmony.

Hindu religious leader Raju Baba feeding his Muslim compatriot after hearing the Azan.
Hindu religious leader Raju Baba feeding his Muslim compatriot after hearing the Azan.

“This is our home. We are one, we have to respect each other and take care of each other’s beliefs & values,” claimed Raju Baba, a leader of the Hindu community, adding that they have been living this way for centuries, with “peace and pluralism.”

Before the Iftar party women of all ages from low income households gathered to collect Eid gifts being distributed by the Hindu Panchayat and Odero Lal Welfare Organisation. Unable to afford Eid supplies on their own, the women walked away content with food, clothes and shoes for themselves and the family.

Women sat patiently as they waited for the distribution of Eid supplies.
Women sat patiently as they waited for the distribution of Eid supplies.

Women of all ages showed up to the distribution ceremony.
Women of all ages showed up to the distribution ceremony.

Some ladies were grateful as they hadn't been Eid shopping for a couple of years due to low wages or unemployment.
Some ladies were grateful as they hadn't been Eid shopping for a couple of years due to low wages or unemployment.

Elderly women who would normally have to work extra hours to afford the gifts were particularly content.
Elderly women who would normally have to work extra hours to afford the gifts were particularly content.

Women were able to walk away, knowing that they would be able to celebrate a colourful Eid.
Women were able to walk away, knowing that they would be able to celebrate a colourful Eid.

The local Hindu community gathered these gifts, fearing that low income families would be unable to celebrate Eid like the rest of the nation. “We collected funds from the Hindu Panchayat and delivered Eid gifts to impoverished Muslim families," said Dileep Kumar Kohistani, an organiser of the Iftar party.

Ghulam Nabi Nizamani from the Social Welfare Department was of the view that religious issues were at a low in Sindh and people were reluctant of these kind of activities due to extremism in Pakistan. However, the reemergence of such events is key for the revival of religious harmony.

At the end of the day the communities were lauded for their efforts of showing a peaceful and harmonious, multicultural society

All photos are by the author.


Manoj Genani is a photographer and cinematographer.