Published on Friday, Sep 17, 2010 at 2025 Hrs. IST
Prasanthi’s unique tag of being the strong advocate for Religious Harmony came to the fore once again with the arrival of Ramzan 2010. On the evening of 10th September, with the advent of grand finale of the holy Islamic month of Ramadan, Prasanthi witnessed a unique programme staged by the students from the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning holding aloft Bharat’s sublime message of secularism.
Greeting the assembly with traditional muslim greeting Id Mubarak, the students began in the form of a skit explaining the religious significance of fasting and penance that entitles the community of highest Divine benediction. Felicitating their presentation they burst open into a Qawwali in praise of Allah, The Divine!
The next item to follow was "Namaz", the Islamic prayer. At the nightfall on the auspicious eve, when the silent air in Prasanthi reverberated with the religious, godly tunes of Muslim traditional prayer, evoking the sublime feeling of Unity in Diversity, a group of students were offering the Namaz with Bhagawan sitting onstage, accepting the offering in physical.
The programme continued with the skit on the celebration of the festival Ramzan, illustrating the spirit of the celebration crossing religious barriers. Bringing parallels from The Bhagavad Gita and other religious scriptures, the presentation highlighted on the true spirit of the festivity, divulging details on the significance of fasting during the season.
Expounding on the true sense of the religion, talking on man's follies of projecting his religion to be the only one, the grateful students burst into yet another song “Al Maddat Maula” of glory in praise of The Only One God!
A song of dedication followed before summing up the presentation with a 'thesis' on His all conquering love, singing the popular tune, "Sai Ke Darbar Mein..." inviting one and all to the holy precincts of Prasanthi!
Quite a world with "a God" who embraces men from all walks of life and faiths, it may sound 'utopian', yet, Prasanthi lives every moment breathing the life force infused by this "Lord Who Walks The Earth" inviting everyone to witness This Great Grand Happening on Planet Earth! Rightfully, the students concluded, singing, "Aaoji Aao...Sai Ke Darbar Mein..."
Bhagawan moved down the ramp, posing with His children. Returning onstage, He sat for a while flipping through the leaves of "Holy Quran" placed at His hand by the students. Festivity’s special sweet dish also came onstage seeking, His sanctifying touch. Muslim students from Prasanthi Nilayam and Brindavan campuses of the Institute participated with religious and devotional fervour, experiencing and enjoying a unique “Eid in The Presence of The One”!
Blessing the concourse with His abhayahastha, Bhagawan moved off the dais, leaving for Yajur Mandiram at 2100 hrs.
