“The initiative like ‘Mosque Introduction Programme’ will help to clear many misconceptions arising in people’s minds due to lack of interaction and understanding between communities,” said Dr Tejinder Singh Rawal, Trustee, India Peace Centre while speaking at the ‘Mosque Introduction Programme’ organised by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Nagpur North West and Central at the Kachhi Memon Jamaat Jama Masjid, Sadar on Sunday. A group of India Peace Centre comprising of delegates from India and foreign countries like USA, Philippines, Nepal and from corners of India like Kashmir visited the mosque as part of their two-month conclave session organised to spread the message of peace, brotherhood and unity among all communities and countries of the world.

 

The participants of the conclave are then declared as peace messenger upon completion of the two-month conclave. The programme at the Jama Masjid featured recitation of ‘Azan’ (call for prayer) by Mouzaan Hafiz Mumtazuddin Moulvi; and recitation of ‘Namaz’ by 10-year old Abdullah Abdul Muqeet, a student of Madinatul Uloom Madrasa. Prof Ayub Khan provided a detailed interpretation of the Quranic recitations and offered comprehensive information about the mosque’s role and significance. He also explained the ‘Azan’, sharing its meaning and importance. The Kacchi Memon Jamaat Jama Masjid has a rich history, having been built 125 years ago on a 20,000-square-foot plot by the members of the Kachhi Memon community.

 

The attendees of the programme expressed their gratitude for the programme as they got to know a different side of Islam during this visit. Rachna, a Nagpur resident who has shifted to the USA, said that she had learned the Quranic verses during her school days, but got to know their meaning only during this visit to the mosque. Kapil, a student belonging to Buddhist religion, said that the prayer offered during the visit gave him an opportunity to introspect and realise how all gods and saints taught to live in unison and peace.