Amidst all the noise that the religious row has created across the nation, there was a poignant moment on Friday, that truly captured the essence of secularism, in Uppinangady, a small town, about 50 km from Mangalore.
It was the day the mortal remains of local businessman Hasanabba Haji,85, who passed away on Thursday, was taken to the cemetery on Friday, along with near and dear ones, and well wishers on the Uppinangady main road. As opposed to the silent procession, the opposite side of the road reverberated with joy and celebration, as thousands gathered to mark Brahmarathotsava of Sri Venkataramana Temple.
The procession was moving with grandeur on the thoroughfares with fanfare, and a band played as people splashed colours on each other.
As the funeral procession of Maina Hassanabbaka, the textile merchant who was popularly known, passed along his cloth shop Maina, established five decades back, and came face-to-face with the procession, all of a sudden, there was a pin-drop silence.
All the people in the procession, which was covering the width of the road, stood beside the road in a single file, kept their hands on their chest, and paid their last respects to the departed soul.
Hasanabba had served as the secretary and treasurer of Malik Deenar Juma Masjid, and was active in social and religious activities. Many have appreciated the magnanimity shown by the GSB Community members in paying respects to the departed soul, and saluted them for their gesture.
This is an example of religious harmony, here shows humanity rather of which religion you are born to. We want this more in our country, no matter which religion you belong to, we all are brothers and sisters..
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